Jongeling Goes for 3rd Consecutive Cross Country Title

by Nick Lenz, Sports Anchor/Reporter
October 15, 2012 6:37 PM


Cross Country is a unique sport. There is no ball, no bats, no hoops, just you and your legs.

"The first couple years it was just the joy of like 'Oh I'm beating kids that are older than I am and then now it's how good of a time cant I get," said Duane Jongeling.

Parker's Duane Jongeling has been running since7th grade and now a senior, he is going for his 3rd consecutive cross country title.

"If you try to run with these guys, the pace they're running for a half a mile, let alone three miles, it just blows you away. So there's obviously some natural ability, but there's a lot of hard work in it too," said Phil Bjorneberg, Parker's Head Coach.

With a record of 27-3 over his last three years, Duane looks to go out on top.

"To be on top senior year, that's kind of everybody's hope their senior year. They want to do their best their senior year. And go out on top again for the third year in a row, that'd be pretty nice," said Jongeling.

"Well anytime you basically have an automatic number oneit makes you so much better and the other kids have really followed along. He's a great example, he gets after it and he's kind of a quiet leader, but he is a really good leader and those kids know he's always up there so if they can pull it together it makes us really good," said Bjorneberg.

After training all summer, running anywhere from 350-400 miles, Duane knows he's still got some left in the tank.

"Fans, parents, just they're 'Oh come on Duane, you look like you're slacking, you can go faster than that," said Jongeling.

But 3rd consecutive or not, he will be missed on the team after this year.

"I don't want to think about that yet. You know it's coming and I've got some really good kids back. The shelf's aren't going to be empty. There's good kids, but you don't get kids like him very often and so it will be a definite change," said Bjorneberg.

But one that hasn't happened yet.