Kapaun Women Prepare for State

The Kapaun Mount Carmel women have dominated in the City League and regional cross country meets the past two weeks. Now, their focus turns to the state meet at Rim Rock outside of Lawrence. "I think we've run great," Kapaun coach Damian Smithhisler said. "We're peaking at just the right time. The girls have won the last two meets. Things are going as planned." KMC placed its top six runners in the top 12 spots at the regional meet. "Our depth makes our team so strong," Smithhisler said. "When you're able to have 7-10 good runners that have worked hard, it makes practices more competitive and everyone gets more out of it." Smithhisler's biggest concern is the same as many cross country coaches. Keep the pack under control. "Just like any week, we've got to keep that pack really tight," Smithhisler said. "Our 4-7 runners need to be packed well for us to get it done Saturday." Much of Kapaun's success is due to its talented top runner, Mackenzie Maki. Maki won the individual titles at city and regionals, out-running opponents by 37 seconds last week at Lake Afton. "Mackenzie has been outstanding," Smithhisler said of Maki. "She's learned a lot. She's never really been on a team before. She has always just been an individual. She's enjoyed having a team around her." Maki transferred to Kapaun from Montana this year. Smithhisler didn't know he would receive such a gift this season. "She's just a sophomore, but in her freshman year she was one of the best runners in Montana," Smithhisler said. "She has run great this year. She had a few bumps, but she expects to go out and win every week." The top competition for the Crusaders will again be the top girls athletic program in the state. "Saint Thomas Aquinas will be very tough to beat," Smithhisler said. "We are almost mirror images of each other. They have a great runner in Washburn and we have a great runner in Maki and we both have great packs behind that." The tension and excitement in the runners' bodies and minds on Saturday will be hard for Smithhisler to control, but the coach hopes to calm down his squad with a few simple words. "I'm going to tell our team to run free," Smithhisler said. "That's been our mantra for these last few weeks. I tell them to enjoy the moment but not to get caught up in it. We've worked hard all year and we'll try to run free."