Jimmie men ready to run

• Spencer Kamoni

(John M. Steiner/The Sun) Jamestown College runner Spencer Kamoni, a Blue Jay graduate, will help lead the men’s cross country team this fall.

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The Jimmie men’s cross country runners are the last team on campus yet to compete.

That will change today as Ed Crawford’s team heads to Minot for the Wiley Wilson Memorial Meet.

The Jimmies will not have a full complement of runners due to injury, but the two at the top are set.

Dave Londe and former Blue Jay Spencer Kamoni will be counted on to lead the way all season.

Londe is far more than just a productive runner, Crawford said.

“Dave is like a role model. He’s a guy we can tell our freshman, “Look at him. Do what he does,’” Crawford said.

Londe, a senior from Cheyenne, Wyo., was not a heralded recruit, but has turned himself into a reliable runner.

“When Dave got here he was very average, but he’s worked his tail off and really come a long way,” Crawford said. “He’s now to the point to where he’s a very strong runner.”

Londe logged serious miles in the summer and reported for the season in good shape.

“He’s really fit. He worked very hard over the summer. He looks pretty good,” Crawford said.

Londe and Kamoni both ran strong legs in the team’s 5-man, 15-mile relay to Spiritwood Lake, which they do at the beginning of each year. In fact, they finished just 2 seconds off the school record.

“Spencer has the talent to be our No. 1 guy. If we can keep him healthy, and mentally he sets his mind to it, he has the potential to be really good,” Crawford said.

Things get a little fuzzy after the top 2.

Kendall Wiltzen should hold down the No. 3 spot, but he won’t run today due to a tender hamstring.

Scott Roemmich, who played football his first three falls at JC, joined Crawford’s team and will help. Roemmich has been a consistent contributor in track for three years.

“He’s a Roemmich, so you know he’s a tough kid and he’s going to give you everything he’s got,” Crawford said.

Freshman Kyle Nielsen and Connor Doppler figure into the top 5 mix.

Nielsen is, “Talented. He’s got some tools,” Crawford said. He’s also had shin issues in the early goings.

Doppler reminds Crawford of Londe, but said, “He’s a lot better than Dave when Dave was a freshman. (Doppler) works hard and shows potential.”

Joe Jensen, a freshman from Jamestown, will challenge for a spot in the top 7. He’s still getting his miles up, but shows promise.

Josh Knutson and Nick Lee are in the same boat. Knutson, from Milnor, has not run cross country before. Lee, a Valley City product, also is transitioning to the longer distances required to succeed in practices, let alone meets.

“The freshmen have talent, but you have to bring them along slowly,” Crawford said. “You can’t just run them into the ground right away. They have to put the miles in and build themselves up.”

As usual, Crawford is looking for steady improvement.

“We’re not expecting miracles. We’ll see what happens,” he said. “We feel pretty good about 1-2-3. The 4-5 spots, there’s potential. We’ll just have to see who steps up.”

Sun sports editor Dave Selvig can be reached at (701) 952-8460 or by e-mail at daves@jamestownsun.com

Tags: cross country, sports, jimmies