GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

Lyndsey Kunz knows when to kick things into high gear.

Kunz, a sophomore cross country runner at Munster, knows that when the competition is tough she needs to run faster.

Last year during the postseason Jessica Kitchell, Munster's top runner, was slowed by an injury and Kunz took over as the Mustangs' No. 1 runner at sectionals and regionals, and was the No. 2 runner at semistate.

"Lyndsey took over without a care," coach Michelle Duffy said. "She realized she needed to step up and she did it."

This season Kunz won the Bob Thomas Invite and the Northwest Crossroads Conference meet that were both at Lowell. Kunz set a then-personal best at the Thomas Invite of 20 minutes, 15 seconds, then lowered it significantly at the NCC meet to 19:52.

"I just felt really good during the race and knew I had some good competition on my team and from KV," Kunz said, one day after the NCC race. "I knew had to stick with lead pack and they pushed me the whole way."

Duffy said she saw something inside Kunz click during the conference meet Tuesday -- Kunz was finally able to over come the mental block of adjusting to racing 5K.

"Most of the girls were seeing it as 'Can I pull off for 3.1 miles what I was doing for 2.6?' and she is finally realizing she can," Duffy said.

Kunz acknowledged there was an adjustment period, especially because she is a mid-distance runner in track, preferring to run the 800 or mile.

"We each had an extra 800, so you needed to know how to pace yourself and stride as best you could at the end," Kunz said.

After lowering her personal best by more than 20 seconds, Kunz said she now hopes to get her time down to the 19:40s.

"You want to set a high standard and hopefully set it at a good meet," Kunz said.

Her next race is Tuesday at the Gavit Sectional, where Kunz will have good competition, including Lake Central one of the best teams in the state.

Duffy said Kunz is a "big meet runner" who doesn't step back from a fight.

"She knows she is capable (of running fast) and it's when she realizes that herself that you really see the drive within," Duffy said. "When she gets the mindset that she can take out anyone, she will. You can see it in her eyes."