The Kennesaw State men’s and women’s cross country teams have already begun training for the upcoming 2017-18 season.
According to KSUOwls.com, the men’s and women’s teams are returning three runners apiece from last season’s squad. Senior Jordan Hand, sophomore Will Hasse and redshirt sophomore Logan Poteet — son of head coach David Poteet — will lead the men’s team this year in competition.
As for the women’s team, big shoes are left to fill as back-to-back ASUN First Team All-Conference member Kidan Kidane graduated over the summer. Senior Saidah Grant, junior Caitlyn Farrell and sophomore Bonnie McKinnon look to have breakout seasons of their own.
“You really can’t replace someone like Kidan,” said coach Poteet. “Everyone has to step up and pick up at 8-10 places or better at conference. As cliche as it may sound, it is not any single individual that can make the difference, but the whole team.”
In addition to the six student-athletes returning from last year’s campaign, head coach David Poteet acquired six new recruits. On paper, the men’s team looks to be stronger than last season with three talented additions in Chase Kennedy, Colton Page and Ben Patterson.
The women’s team also added three new runners in Katie Meyer, Morgan Haney and Reagan Poteet, local Kell High School alumna and daughter of coach Poteet.
It would seem coaching your son and daughter would be a challenge, but according to coach Poteet it’s not a problem at all.
“I work very hard at making sure everyone knows Logan and Reagan are team members out there, not my kids,” said coach Poteet. “I’ve always prided myself on making sure they get no special treatment. I tell everyone on the team, “You’re all special, but no one is more special than anyone else.”
KSU will open the new 2017 season at the JSU Struts Season Opener on Fri. Sept. 1 in Oxford, Alabama.
Notable events for this season include the inaugural Stan Sims Invitational on Sept. 8, as well as the ASUN Conference Championships on Oct. 28. Both events will be hosted by KSU at Sam Smith Park in Cartersville, Georgia.
To stay current on Kennesaw State Cross Country events and results, fans can follow the team on twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlTrackFieldXC or by liking KSU on Facebook.
