Column 04
University Daily Kansan — Thu., Oct. 26, 2006 — Special Section
Track and field star remains a mystery
By Michael Phillips
You think figuring out this year's football team is hard?
That's basic arithmetic compared to figuring out Benson Chesang.
Tomorrow at Rim Rock Farm, Chesang, a senior from Kenya, will attempt to win his third-straight Big 12 Conference Cross Country title.
It would be a fitting way for a tremendous runner to finish his career, and all of it in front of a home crowd.
But there's a problem. So far this season he hasn't been the best runner in the conference. He hasn't even been the best runner on his own team.
After his second Big 12 title last October, he decided to redshirt during the spring track season. Since coming back, his speeding-bullet times have become much more pedestrian.
This year he was held out of the first two races, in an attempt to keep him fresh for the latter part of the season. In his first race fo the year, at the Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis, Chesang finished 44th.
At his only other meet, the NCAA Pre-Nationals two weeks ago, he finished in 30th place overall, and third among KU men. So which Benson is coming to Rim Rock tomorrow?
"I'll definitely get there by the end of the year," he said. "But I can't say I'm really in that peak shape right now."
Nobody is denying his talent. His Big 12 titles and national tournament appearances speak for themselves. The only question is whether he'll be motivated.
"My goal is to perform well at national meets," he said. "And maybe even this Big 12 meet."
This Big 12 meet is one of the most important things to happen to the Jayhawks in some time. By showcasing Rim Rock Farm well, the school could qualify to host NCAA tournaments in the future.
In addition, the team will have possibly its best chance ever to unseat Colorado, who has won the Big 12 Cross Country championship for 10 straight years.
And how did Chesang spend his redshirt semester?
"I ran a little bit," he said. "But I just sat on my butt most of the time."
On Friday morning we'll see which Benson Chesang comes to Rim Rock Farm. The two-time Big 12 champion, biochemistry major, and one of the best Jayhawk runners ever. Or the Benson Chesang that finished 44th and 30th this season, and won't say whether he is the best runner on the team.
"I think Benson is as talented as anybody," coach Stanley Redwine said. "The best runner is the one that is going to show where he's at mentally and physically."
And if that's not Benson, we can always get him a football uniform.