Instant Success
9/21/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
Sept. 21, 2010
ARLINGTON, Tex. - By: Lauren Snook
Emily Koenig knew coming into her freshman year that she would be tested at the new level. She has embraced the challenge and has found her way to the front of UT Arlington's team.
Koenig made a splash in her first event, winning the Midwestern State Invitational with a 14:31.88 in the 4k. Her performance garnered Southland Conference Player of the Week. Behind Koenig, UTA finished third in the event.
In other words, the Temple native wasted little time in serving notice to the rest of the league that the Mavs have found a new weapon.
Surprisingly, Koenig thinks the stiffer competition is the reason she has excelled early in the season.
"In high school I was always in the front," Koenig said. "Now, in college, of course the competition's picked up a lot and there are people in front of me. It's better now, I have more people to chase and push me. I like it."
It didn't take long for Koenig to prove her initial success wasn't a fluke. In her second event, the UT Arlington Season Opener, Koenig again led the Mavs with her fifth-place finish. UTA finished third in the competition, behind SMU and TCU.
While preparing for next week's meet at Texas A&M - Corpus Christi, Koenig said the blistering heat isn't something she considered a hindrance.
"It gets a little old, but I guess it's kind of second-nature to me," Koenig said. "It's what you have to do."
The heat may be second-nature, but Koenig said the transition from high school to college was something she was working on settling into. Koenig said one of the biggest challenges she's faced thus far is more mileage while training and the longer races. Also, the competition she faces now has picked up a lot, but it allows her to test herself more than she has before.
Since the cross country team did not have a meet this past week, Koenig has looked to UTA cross country coach John Sauerhage for motivation and guidance.
"I don't really know what to expect," Koenig said. "Coach is there saying `push yourself, you can be at the front of the pack,' so I'm just going to trust my training and try to hold on to those girls."
Training and preparation are some elements that help Koenig ease the stress of upcoming meets. Pre-race and pre-game rituals have always been something athletes take part in to help relieve some stress. Koenig is no different.
"Since high school we've had `pasta night' the night before a big race," Koenig said. "And we did that before our first race here at UTA. I enjoy getting our whole team together."
Koenig said the best transition since high school is the fellowship of the team members.
"Here I have a team, they run with me, and it's great," Koenig said.
While being pushed by her teammates, coaches, and fellow competitors, Koenig has a certain goal for herself this season.
"For next week's meet, I want to be in the top 10," Koenig said. "That's been my goal for every meet. I'm going to shoot for top 10."
Emily Koenig is a nursing and exercise science major. Her cousin, Kristi Koenig-Babb, also ran at UTA from 1996-2000.
The Mavs compete again Saturday when they take part in the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islander Splash.
