Women’s cross country team running for conference title

Far left Sarah Hankla, Jennifer Waninger (middle) and Ginny Murphy are leading the way for the women’s cross country team this season. The team looks for their first conference championship this weekend. Photo by Dillon White.

Running, to some the root of all evil, but to others its an opportunity to relieve stress, brainstorm and even have fun. Freshman cross country runners Jessica Waninger and Ginny Murphy, along with junior Sarah Hankla, feel the latter part and has been leading the women’s cross country team this season.

Hankla, a native of Tyler and Grace Community School, has been on the team for two years. She placed third on the conference race her freshman season and sixth last season. Hankla also trains for triathlons, and competed in her first one last spring.

Hankla admitted she has not been 100 percent this season because of knee surgery in June, but believes she is starting to get back into full stride. “They scoped my knee and cut out a plica in June,” Hankla said, “but I’m finally getting back to where I was.” “I didn’t think I would be ready to run,” Hankla said, “I was just hoping to be able to make the conference team.”

Hankla also suffered from a stress fracture in her leg after a car wreck her freshman year. As for her freshman counterparts, they are getting their first dose of college athletics.

Waninger, a kinesiology major, is actually getting her first sight at competition since her freshman year of high school. Waninger was homeschooled for three years in Tyler.

She and her family moved here from Southern Indiana before her freshman year of high school. However, running always has been a family event. “My whole family runs,” Waninger said. “My mom went to state track while in high school, and my brother is a pro tri-athlete.” She originally came to the University just for school, but was talked into running for the team in August.

“I went and talked to Bob [Hepler], the cross country coach, and before I knew it I was leaving with a stack of papers,” Waninger said. “I’m glad I did it, I love it. It’s the most fun I’ve had in a while.” Waninger also expects to improve. “I know I’ve progress a lot from when I started,” Waninger said. “But I know I can be a lot faster than I am.”

This season Waninger set the school record for a 6K race with a time of 24:16.64 at the Quaker Invitational in Greensboro, NC. Her time is also second in conference history. Murphy finished less than a second behind Waninger, and Hankla finished less than 20 seconds behind Murphy.

Along with Hankla, Waninger has been training for triathlons. She competed in her first triathlon in September. Fellow freshman Ginny Murphy competes in triathlons as well, and has been running competitively since her freshman year of high school. But like Waninger did not plan on running for the team when she enrolled. “I wasn’t going to run in college, but Bob talked me into it,” Murphy said.

Competing is something all three girls enjoy, but they also appreciate the runs. “Going on a long run is peaceful and relieves stress,” Waninger said. “It serves as a meditating moment.” Hankla admitted she likes the challenge mentally that running can sometimes bring.

All three runners agree winning conference is the main goal now, and “beating Carla” in an objective as well. Making the national race is a plan for the future as well.

Carla Lewis is a runner from McMurry. McMurry is the two-time defending conference champions and won the Texas Div. III State Meet in September. The Patriots’ women’s team placed second at the meet.

If the Patriots over throw McMurry this weekend, it will be their first conference championship in program history.