Senior Ryan Way is plenty familiar with the notorious cross country course at the Oak Hills Golf Center in Jefferson City. But he’s run it three times before — during three previous visits to the state meet — and he’s not phased by its reputation for hills.
“In reality, our course is probably as hilly or maybe more hilly than the state course,” Way says. “It’s just that it’s a lot faster, a lot better competition. I’m not worried about it too much.”
Way will be the lone Republic runner competing in the Class 4 Cross Country championships this Saturday. It will be the fourth time he’s tackled the course, and he says he feels good going into the race.
“I think I’ll be able to finish pretty well,” he says. “I’ve done pretty well on hilly courses in the past. One of the hilliest courses in the state (at Carthage), I set a record on this year. I’m looking forward to it. I don’t think the hills will be too big a problem.”
Way set his personal best time at a meet at Missouri Southern this season, running a 15:44. It was one of three course records he set this season. He credits a change in his offseason training regimen for improving his times this year.
“A lot more miles in my offseason training. I’m really more of a speed and strength type guy,” he says. “I was a mile and steeplechase runner. We picked up the mileage a little bit and did some more endurance work so I could keep my speed and strength longer during races.”
Way’s previous best time in Jefferson City was around 16:26, a time he hopes to improve on this year. Although his familiarity with the course might give him an advantage over some younger runners, Way says most of the other top competitors have run the course before, too, negating any advantage at the front of the pack.
The top 25 runners will earn all-state recognition. Way says his goal is to finish at least in the top 15, based on his times throughout the season.
His strategy for Saturday is simple.
“I’d like to stay in sight of the leaders. They’re going to be running pretty fast. The top two or three guys, I couldn’t run with them for the first mile and a half,” he says. “I’ve been here for four years, and I’m going to give it all I’ve got. I think it’s time to not be able to walk away from a cross country race. I’m just going to keep the leaders in sight no matter how much it hurts.”
Way and the rest of the Class 4 boys will start their race just after 11:30 Saturday morning in Jefferson City.
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