Tiny Kroeger crushes cross-country competition

	Kathy Kroeger finished fourth in last year's Foot Locker Regional. Photo courtesy of Kathy Kroeger

Kathy Kroeger stands just 5-foot-2 and weighs a mere 90 pounds, but she affectionately is called "The Beast" around Independence High (Thompson Station, Tenn.), because she consistently crushes her cross-country opponents.

"The amazing thing about Kathy is that she finishes two or three minutes in front of her competitors," says coach Kristen Reames. "It's been hard for her to find competition around here. What sets her so far apart is her determination and drive. She wants to get better each time even though she's running, literally, by herself. I'm looking forward to seeing what she can do with someone pushing her. She's her own worst critic. She goes into every meet scared to death. She doesn't know how good she is."

Last year as a freshman, Kroeger was undefeated until placing fourth in the Foot Locker Regional, then 16th in the Foot Locker Nationals. Another freshman, Californian Jordan Hasay, won the national title. Cross-country expert Rich Gonzalez predicts, "Kroeger looks to be the very best threat to her [Hasay] at the nationals."

Kroeger, who thrives on self-motivation, won her first eight 5K races this fall, setting a personal record in each of the last three. The most impressive victory came at the Great American Cross Country Festival in Hoover, Ala. Last spring in track she set a school and state record of 10:33 in the 3,200-meter run. She won the state 3,200 and 1,600-meter runs. Her best mile is a school-record 4:49.

"I'm used to being in the lead at the beginning," Kroeger said. "My main focus is just to run even splits and have a strong finish. When I start off too fast, I run out of gas in the last mile. I just try to improve on times and don't think about the other people."

Her fourth-place finish in last year's Foot Locker Regional was remarkable, because she tripped and fell down after about a quarter mile. She was running in a pack and was stepped on by several girls. "I had spike marks on my ankles and my knees and hands were pretty bloody from the impact of the dirt and gravel," she said.

At this year's Class AAA state meet, Kroeger became the first girl in Tennessee history to break 17 minutes, winning her second title in a sizzling 16:59.45 -- over one minute ahead of her closest pursuer. "I was really excited, trying to get my pace right," she said. "I was shooting for a 5:28 mile and 10:58 two-mile and it was really close."

Still ahead are the Foot Locker South meet on Nov. 25 in Charlotte, N.C., and, hopefully, the Foot Locker Nationals on Dec. 9 in San Diego. The top 10 regional finishers will qualify for the finals.

Kroeger's accomplishments are especially noteworthy because she also played varsity soccer in the fall. Though she felt she benefited from the speed work she received in soccer, she said Monday that she is giving up the sport to concentrate on running.

In the winter, Kroeger is a member of the Eagles swim team. Outside of athletics, she belongs to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, plays the piano and occasionally teaches a youth group at St. Andrew Lutheran Church and is vice president of the sophomore class. Even with such a hectic schedule she has a 4.5 GPA in honors classes.

Despite her dominance, the humble 15-year-old never is overconfident. She says, "I try not to take anything for granted. I'm definitely nervous before meets, because I don't know how I'm going to perform that day. My dad says a big head adds more runner's resistance."