Sophomore Jimmy Keown has been running cross country since the sixth grade. His leisurely involvement in the sport became more serious during his freshman year of high school. A key lesson learned at such an early stage has enabled Keown to find success at the collegiate level.
"You have to be able to have fun with something and love it in order to win," Keown said.
Keown credits his love for the sport as well as his cerebral style as the keys to his progress last year. The Purdue University transfer led UMKC in six races last season and also garnered a second team all Mid-Continent selection.
"What gave me the improvement last year was a more mental approach [to my training]," Keown said. "[The] ability to tolerate pain longer, which is more of a mental battle than a physical one is what gives any runner an edge."
This season Keown will help lead a small but experienced UMKC squad. While cross country is largely an individual sport, Keown knows the importance each teammate has in his success or failure.
"Teammates really pull you along during races and in workouts [as well]," Keown said. "[I try] to race every race like it is my last and give my all to not only the team but to myself."
Keown looks for the Kangaroos to be a competitive team in 2007. Most of the athletes, being upper-classmen, have already made the adjustment to college and are able to have a proper focus on both academics and athletics.
"We are going to have good and bad races but [we're not having to] train while getting used to college life as well," Keown said. "[I believe] everyone on the team will make a positive of [our cross country] experience."
As for his personal goals for the upcoming season, Keown says they are the same every year.
"I would hate to waste all the days of training and all the miles I've logged in on poor racing," Keown said. "[But ultimately] I just go out there, have fun, and try my best."
When the Columbia, Mo., native is not putting himself through the rigors of training or competition he enjoys a variety of activities. Keown finds solace in playing the guitar but he also takes pleasure in viewing a quality movie. Not surprisingly, his cerebral nature exposes itself here too.
"My favorite films are quality films that leave me thinking, like '2001: A Space Odyssey,'" Keown said. "[I like] experiencing something that is [worthwhile] rather than the typical commercialized movies [that are so common today]."
mfoust@unews.com
