AUGUSTA, Kan. - Zack Penrod considered himself a track guy who tolerated cross county because it was expected of distance runners.
It took a year or two for him to figure out that the top runners are both – cross country success and track success are connected, even if the events are distinct.
"In cross country, you need to be a lot more mentally tough, you need to be a lot more of a team player," Penrod said. "There are a lot of times when you hit three miles in a five-mile race and you're thinking 'Maybe I should slow down, maybe I should pull up just a little bit.