Page 10-The Michigan Daily- Thursday, October 31, 1991 McKown redefines victory Wolverine runner wins with persistence, effort DOUG KANTER/Daily Joe McKown has battled many ailments during his career at Michigan. by Bruce Inosencio Daily Sports Writer In a sport where only the first runner to cross the finish line wins, it's ironic that Joe McKown feels victorious based solely on the effort he's put into cross country. "He gives 120 percent every race. Every second of every race he gives his all," men's cross country coach Ron Warhurst said. Strangely enough, McKown didn't think he would need to work so hard just to stay at Michigan. McKown graduated in 1987 from Fremont, Ohio's Kansas Lakota High School. There, he established his running talents with personal bests of 9:05 in the two-mile run and 15:27 in the cross-country 5,000 meter event. Winning the Ohio Class AA state cross country meet and the two mile in the state track meet his senior year, McKown graduated with lofty expectations in college. However, the transition was diffi- cult and McKown soon realized he would not be a major factor on the team his first year. "I expected to be able to come in and contribute right away," he said. "Instead, I came in here and ended up getting sick in my first cross coun- try meet." MICHIGAN MEN'S CLUB BASKETBALL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING TUBS DAY: NOVEMBER 5 8 P.M. MICHIGAN UNION LOBBY CALL 668-3154 In that race, McKown was less than a half mile from the finish line when he began to run in circles and become disoriented. His first year did not improve; McKown suffered a stress fracture and three broken bones in his foot for track season. After so many problems, it wouldn't be much of a surprise if McKown dropped running alto- gether. He didn't quit, but admits he considered the idea after his sopho- more year. "My first two years went really bad. I didn't run well and it was very discouraging," he said. "After my success in high school, I was forced to work much harder. I was putting in tons more effort but the results just weren't coming." Not only was his lack of success weighing heavily on his mind, but he was still experiencing medical problems. "I saw all kinds of physicians to see what was wrong with me and nothing was really determined," he said. "Everyone kept pointing to asthma, but nothing was really de- cided." But McKown continued to run out of love for the sport. "I kept on even though the ad- justment from high school to col- lege was rough," he said. "I don't think my body was mature enough to make that much of a transition." Because the practices at Michigan required far more work than those in high school, McKown's body was constantly run down his first two years. Not faulting the coaches, he felt a normal person's body should be able to handle, the workouts, de- spite perpetually beginning his races tired. McKown still faces some prob- lemns this season. He has finished a couple races this year complaining of dizziness and disorientation, but has progressed steadily. In order to overcome so many obstacles in his years at Michigan, McKown has been forced to adjust his goals. "All the way through my sophomore year I was super compet- itive and I just wanted to win, win, win. But, I was so far back I didn't have a chance at all. "I was used to winning every- thing in high school and all of a sudden I get to college and I can't even break into our top 12," McKown said. "Now I can look at a race and realize that maybe I didn't run a great race this weekend, but it's a heck of a lot better than two years ago." With a 24:56 at the Michigan State Invitational earlier this sea- son, McKown can finally see his ef- forts paying off. And while his role in past meets hasn't been as a scorer, McKown is confident that he has the talent to move into that role. "If I hit a really good race I know I would be a contributing fac- tor - hopefully that will happen at the Big Ten meet," he said. "A lot of people have really stood by me and have thought that if I ever got healthy I would be a con- tributing factor," McKown said. "Coach Warhurst could have easily singled me out and said that I was never going to develop, but he hasn't. He's really helped me out this year by adjusting the workouts 1992 BSN STUDENTS. Enter the Air Force immediately after gradua- tion - without waiting for the results of your State Boards. You can earn great benefits as an Air Force nurse officer. And if selected during your senior year, you may qualify for a five-month internship at a major Air Force medical facili- ty. To apply, you'll need an overall 2.50 GPA. Serve your country while you serve your career. USAF HEALTH PROFESSIONS COLLECT (313) 463-8599 for me. "After my second year I got oq of the vicious circle of trying harder in workouts and wearing myself out. I finally stepped back and saw that I just had to do this for fun," McKown said. Warhurst truly appreciates McKown's perseverance. "Joe was a tremendous talent as a freshman just because he's so smooth and efficient when he runs," he said. "I just feel so good abo* him having the success he has had this year because of the problems he's had over the past four years. He's truly been an inspiration to the rest of the team." There was some doubt that McKown would even compete this season. "I wasn't sure he'd even be here this year, and he's come out and finished in our top five or six spot consistently this year," Warhurs said. "I think after four or five years he's learned when to push and when not to push. He could have quit three years ago, but he didn't. He just kept plugging away at it. "Sometimes the guys will think they're having a rough time and then they see someone like Joe come out and give 120 percent every race, ev- ery second of every race." McKown hopes to continue t give the extra effort after he stops running for Michigan. McKown will be in the School of Pharmacy for two and a half years after this semester, and thinks he will proba- bly keep running road races on weekends after he graduates. "I love to run," McKown said. "And I can see myself running long after I leave Michigan."A Griddes Bring your entry to 420 Maynard by 5 p.m. Friday for your chance to win a $10 gift certificate to O'Sullivan's Eatery and Pub. 1. Purdue at Michigan 2. Florida State at Louisville 3. Arizona State at Washington 4. Navy at Notre Dame 5. Southern Cal at California 6. Iowa at Ohio State 7. N'western at Michigan St. 8. Wisconsin at Illinois 9. Minnesota at Indiana - - Celebrate HIlloween with 100 Free Copies From Kinko 's. NQAA.MEN S 3. IOWA.ST:.. ... 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