Klaus One Step Above the Rest
Wednesday, October 27 2010 - OVC Championships (XC) - Olivia KlausBy Dominic Renzetti/Staff Reporter
Issue date: 10/27/10 Section: Sports
Olivia Klaus, a sophomore, on the cross country team relaxes by the Campus Pond where the cross country team usually runs. (Katie Overby | Daily Eastern News)
One of the duties that go along with being a team captain is to lead by example.
Sophomore Olivia Klaus, the team captain of the women's cross country team, is leading the Panthers in more ways than one.
Along with being a leader for the Panthers and helping the rest of her team improve, Klaus is a leader on race day.
Klaus has been the top finisher for the team in all four of the team's meets this season.
Klaus placed fourth at the EIU Panther Open, 13th at the Illinois Intercollegiate, seventh at the Notre Dame Invite and 16th at the Bradley Classic.
Saturday Klaus looks to lead not only the Panthers, but also the rest of the competition at the Ohio Valley Conference championship in Cookeville, Tenn.
Klaus first got her inspiration to begin running from her older sister. Klaus said she just wanted to follow her sister's footsteps and continue in the sport.
Klaus said her favorite parts about running are that it is a challenging sport and that it keeps her in shape, but Klaus also said she loves the team aspect of the sport.
Klaus said she liked that there were always people right next to her going through the same pain and trying to push through the sport together.
Klaus, of Eureka, is no stranger to success.
Klaus was a three-sport athlete in high school, lettering in track, cross country and basketball.
She won the 2007 Illinois High School Association cross country championship and won the track and field state championship in the 1600-meter and the 4x800 relay.
Klaus has seen improvements in the 2010 season. She topped her 2009 season-best time at the first meet of the 2010 season.
In 2009, she was named the OVC Female Runner of the Week twice, while this season she has received the honor three times.
Still, Klaus doesn't let the success get to her head.
"It's good and it's a great confidence boost, but I try not to think too much of it," Klaus said.
Klaus said she uses the OVC Female Runner of the Week honor as an inspiration to work even harder.
"I want to say that I've improved a lot," Klaus said. "I definitely feel a lot more in tune this season. I haven't had to face any injuries or sicknesses. I try to get a good sleep each night and keep good nutrition. It's the little things that make the biggest difference."
Klaus said a lot of her improvement is due to her team's training regimen.
Klaus said that she and the team has adjusted well to having a new coach, Erin Howarth, with a new training style.
"I think she's done amazing," Klaus said. "She came in, took control and clearly showed us that she knows what she's doing. Every girl on the team has (achieved a personal record). I think she has been an awesome addition to Eastern athletics."
Olivia Klaus and the Panthers cross country team will compete this weekend at the Ohio Valley Conference Championship.
Dominic Renzetti can be reached at 581-7944 or dcrenzetti@eiu.edu.
Sophomore Olivia Klaus, the team captain of the women's cross country team, is leading the Panthers in more ways than one.
Along with being a leader for the Panthers and helping the rest of her team improve, Klaus is a leader on race day.
Klaus has been the top finisher for the team in all four of the team's meets this season.
Klaus placed fourth at the EIU Panther Open, 13th at the Illinois Intercollegiate, seventh at the Notre Dame Invite and 16th at the Bradley Classic.
Saturday Klaus looks to lead not only the Panthers, but also the rest of the competition at the Ohio Valley Conference championship in Cookeville, Tenn.
Klaus first got her inspiration to begin running from her older sister. Klaus said she just wanted to follow her sister's footsteps and continue in the sport.
Klaus said her favorite parts about running are that it is a challenging sport and that it keeps her in shape, but Klaus also said she loves the team aspect of the sport.
Klaus said she liked that there were always people right next to her going through the same pain and trying to push through the sport together.
Klaus, of Eureka, is no stranger to success.
Klaus was a three-sport athlete in high school, lettering in track, cross country and basketball.
She won the 2007 Illinois High School Association cross country championship and won the track and field state championship in the 1600-meter and the 4x800 relay.
Klaus has seen improvements in the 2010 season. She topped her 2009 season-best time at the first meet of the 2010 season.
In 2009, she was named the OVC Female Runner of the Week twice, while this season she has received the honor three times.
Still, Klaus doesn't let the success get to her head.
"It's good and it's a great confidence boost, but I try not to think too much of it," Klaus said.
Klaus said she uses the OVC Female Runner of the Week honor as an inspiration to work even harder.
"I want to say that I've improved a lot," Klaus said. "I definitely feel a lot more in tune this season. I haven't had to face any injuries or sicknesses. I try to get a good sleep each night and keep good nutrition. It's the little things that make the biggest difference."
Klaus said a lot of her improvement is due to her team's training regimen.
Klaus said that she and the team has adjusted well to having a new coach, Erin Howarth, with a new training style.
"I think she's done amazing," Klaus said. "She came in, took control and clearly showed us that she knows what she's doing. Every girl on the team has (achieved a personal record). I think she has been an awesome addition to Eastern athletics."
Olivia Klaus and the Panthers cross country team will compete this weekend at the Ohio Valley Conference Championship.
Dominic Renzetti can be reached at 581-7944 or dcrenzetti@eiu.edu.