Ready to run to the top of the team

Sophomore Stephen Haas thinks he can make a major contribution to the Hoosier cross country team this year.\n"I am in a lot better shape this year," Haas said. "Last year my track season ran so long that I was not ready for the cross country season." \nLast season, Haas ran an IU freshman record of 14:25 for the 5,000 meters. He also ran an 8:19 in the 3,000 meters, becoming only the 19th runner in IU history to break 8:20 indoors. Although Haas had a great track season, summer meets extended his season, and he was in shape for shorter distances as compared to the longer races in cross country.\n"This year I have been putting in a lot more mileage over the summer," Haas said. "I have been running about 90 miles a week, and I am a lot more confident."\nLast year, Haas was hampered by an injury during the track season, but he came back strong.\n"Stephen is definitely a national level talent," coach Robert Chapman said. "Last year he looked very strong in indoor track, until he had a pinched nerve problem in his back. After sitting out a while, he regrouped well. To finish fifth in the 10k as a redshirt frosh outdoors in the Big Ten Conference is pretty strong -- particularly after missing several weeks in February and March."\nJunior Billy Coale transferred to IU this year, and the newcomer has already noticed Haas' work ethic.\n"He trains really hard, and he never complains about all the miles he puts in," Coale said. "He has a really great attitude, and he is real business-like in his training. I think all his hard work will really pay off this season."\nSo far this year, Chapman knows that Haas has been putting in the miles and will be ready.\n"I think for Stephen, a big key for him is to make sure we have his base firmly established," Chapman said. "He is going to thrive on high mileage and strength-oriented work. We just need to make sure we have a nice solid base before we add in the quality work."\nBoth Stephen and his coach have high expectations this year, which they hope can be accomplished with hard work.\n"To put it simply, Stephen's strongest asset is that he's pretty darn good," Chapman said. "Why can he be good this year? Because he is good. We both just need to make sure we follow the proper progression of workouts, and everything should fall into place."\n-- Contact staff writer Alex Witteveld at pawittev@indiana.edu.