Kelpe provides inspiration for Central's runners

JACKSON -- Central assistant coach Bryan Kelpe ran a 100-mile ultra marathon in August through all types of unfavorable conditions -- rain, sleet, snow, hail, thunder and elevations that ranged from 9,200 feet to 12,600 feet.

How did he describe his experience?

"It was fun," he said.

Kelpe is an important part of Central's girls cross country program, which finished fourth at the Class 4 state meet and earned its first ever state trophy last year.

Coach Mark Hahn said one reason Kelpe is so important is because he is a student of distance running, with a vast knowledge of the sport and is willing to share his knowledge with the runners. Hahn added that Kelpe also sets a positive example for the team by running many miles himself whether in races or with the team at practices.

Some Central runners competing in the Jackson Invitational on Saturday said they were inspired by Kelpe's dedication to run and complete the ultra marathon.

The Central girls ran well at the meet, finishing in first place in the senior class race with a score of 21, beating out Kirkwood (22) and St. Joseph (29).

Senior Veronica Schabbing, who often runs with Kelpe, finished first in the senior race with a time of 14 minutes, 20 seconds. Brittany Moreland finished third (15:02).

"Just the fact that he [Kelpe] was able to work for something that I think he's been dreaming of for a while and the fact that he actually did it and finished, I'm just really proud of him," Moreland said.

The ultra marathon

Kelpe completed the Leadville Trail 100, which took place Aug. 16 and 17 in Colorado. He covered the course in a time of 27 hours, 50 minutes.

He said 186 of the 455 runners who entered finished. It was a race that Kelpe had dreamed about participating in since he was a Central cross country runner years ago.

Kelpe placed running the Leadville 100 on a goal list he wrote when in high school. He made another goal list in 2005, again listing the Leadville 100. His wife surprised him with his registration for his 30th birthday last January.

"I was nervous until the race started," Kelpe said. "As soon as the race started, I never had a doubt. I knew as soon as the race started I was going to finish it."

He said he felt stronger than he expected through the first 60 miles. But he lost his appetite between midnight and 4 a.m., and was unable to consume solid foods. He was not getting the calories he needed, but he regained his appetite during the early morning.

Runners were allowed to have crews that provided food and other supplies at each station.

"I have to give credit to my crew because I couldn't have done it without them," Kelpe said. "They were the one reason I was able to make it to the finish line. My wife gave me a boost. We sat and ate potatoes for a little bit, and I got back on the trail."

He said sleep deprivation was not much of an issue because of all the calories and caffeine he consumed during the race.

"It was relief," he said about finishing it. "And it was just that kind of accomplishment of 'OK, this was a lifetime achievement doing it.' The week after I was thinking, 'OK, what's my next goal.' ... We [he and his wife] are going to have our first child in February, so that's where a lot of my energy is going to be going."

Kelpe's role at Central

Central returns many of its top runners from last year's team, but Kelpe said he does not want to predict how the team will do this year.

He did say the Tigers have some strong talent, led by Scabbing and Moreland.

"They are just two great girls," Kelpe said. "They love to compete. Brittany is a competitor and is going to be one of the best runners in the state. [Schabbing] challenged herself this summer and put in a lot of mileage. She showed it today that she's going to be one to beat the rest of the season."

Kelpe said he runs with both the girls and boys teams at practices.

"What I like coming back from the 100-miler is that I've gotten to run with pretty much everyone," Kelpe said. "I try to mix it up every day. A lot of days I run with [Schabbing] because some of her routes are longer than a lot of the other team. So I usually jump in with her."

Hahn said he and Kelpe both run with the team because it's enjoyable. But he also uses Kelpe to challenge and push runners.

"We have used him [Kelpe] in particular to pace kids in workouts," Hahn said. "He can run whatever fast pace we need him to run with the kids. He can do it, including our fast kids and especially with [Schabbing]. He's done a lot with her."

@z_agate_no tab_no indnt_bld ld:Jackson Invitational

Girls

Freshmen (1.95 miles)

Team scores -- 1. Jackson 12; 2. Kirkwood 19; 3. Farmington 31; 4. Ursuline Acadamey 41; 5. Notre Dame 60; Dexter 1114; 7. North County 143.

Local top-20 finishers -- 2. Taylor Dickerson, J, 12.59; 4. Caitlyn Bess, J, 13.41; 6. Lindsey Seabaugh, J, 13.59; 13. Amanda Lappe, Oak Ridge, 14.23; 14. Morgan Morris, ND, 14.38; 20. Emily Rodman, J, 14.56.

Sophomores (2.35 miles)

Team scores -- 1. Kirkwood 15; 2. Cape Central 33; 3. North County 44; 4. Jackson 57; 5. Hillsboro 78; 6. Farmington 78; 7. Ursuline Acadamey 84; 8. Dexter 91; 9. ND 103.

Local top-20 finishers -- 1. Mary Dohogne, CC, 15:13; 2. Tori Parry, J, 15:32; 10. Jordyn Richmond, CC, 16:41; 11. Kristin Dippold, J, 16:49; 14. Lucy Gage, J, 17:26; 17. Rebekah Shrum, A, 17:38; 19. Tera Grojean, ND, 17:45

Juniors (2.35 miles)

Team scores -- 1. Jackson 16; 2. Ursuline Academy 22; 3. Kirkwood 37; 4. St. Joseph's Academy 47; 5. Dexter 49; Farmington 66; Woodland 110; Cape Central 116.

Local top-20 finishers -- 4. Diane Strong, J, 16:35; 5. Jordan Whitener, J, 15:39; 7. Amber Krites, J, 17:11; 13. Audrey Westrich, CC, 17:35; 20. Bethany Payne, MH, 18:05.

Seniors (2.35 miles)

Team scores -- 1. Cape Central 21; 2. Kirkwood 22; 3. St. Joseph's Academy 29; 4. Notre Dame 60; 5. Ursuline Academy 73; 6. Woodland 113.

Local top-20 finishers -- 1. Veronica Schabbing, CC, 14:20; 3. Brittany Moreland, CC, 15:02; 7. Tori Psau, ND, 16:10; 17. Jessie Hahn, CC, 17:11.

Boys

Freshmen (1.95 miles)

Team scores -- 1. Kirkwood 34; 2. Fox 64; 3. Jackson 69; 4. Crystal City 117; 5. Notre Dame 141.

Local top-20 finishers -- 2. Tyler Jennings, Central, 11:26; 5. Daylin Davis, MH, 11:50; 7. Neil Bradley, CC, 12:05; 8. Juan Campos, K, 12:06; 9. Dalton Wilson, CC, 12:07; 10. Ray Hecht, J, 12:12; 11. Dylan Myers, OR, 12:26; 16. Austin Koehler, J, 12:31; 18. Tyler Gholson, J, 12:41.

Sophomores (2.35 miles)

Team scores -- 1. Central 24; 2. Delta 89; 3. Advance 102; 4. Fox 103; 5. Notre Dame 110; 6. Kirkwood 110; 7. Farmington 113; 8. Oak Ridge 122; 9. Jackson 146; 10. Dexter 160; 11. Woodland 173.

Local top-20 finishers -- 1. Roy Leighton, CC, 12:57; 2. Eric Schott, CC, 13:60; 4. Grant Gray, A, 14:01; 5. Collin Summers, CC, 14:05; 6. Caleb Elam, OR, 14:07; 8. Ethan Holcomb, ND, 14:17; 12. Steven Bolen, OR, 14:27; 13. Lance Essner, ND, 14:34; 16. Lars Monla, CC, 14:46.71; 17. Brock Nanney, J, 14:46.90; 20. Austin Keonig, J, 15:09.

Juniors (2.35 miles)

Team scores -- 1. Notre Dame 21; 2. Farmington 35; 3. Kirkwood 52; 4. Cape Central 68; 5. Hillsboro 103; 6/ Meadow Heights 163.

Local top-20 finishers -- 1. Wynn McClellan, ND, 12:27; 2. Ryan Johnson, ND, 13:01.69; 3. Cody Kern, K, 13:01; 8. Cody Moore, ND, 13:37; 10. David Willens, ND, 13:46; 14. Alex Crawford, CC, 14:09; 16. Joe Buerck, SL, 14:21; 18. Jared Ritter, CC, 14:31; 19. Michael Bohn, ND, 14;36.

Seniors (2.35 miles)

Team scores -- 1. Jackson 36; 2. Notre Dame 40; 3. Fox 47; 4. Farmington 77; 5. North County 94; 6. Kirkwood 99; 7. Saxony Lutheran 122.

Local top-20 finishers -- 2. Greg Gibson, J, 12:29; 3. Logan Davis, ND, 12:38; 4. Dillon Klaffer, ND, 12:48; 6. Cody Green, J, 13:07; 8. Matt Reinagel, ND, 13:20; 13. Chris Hurse, J, 13:33; 15. Dustin Spooler, J, 13:41; 16. Josh Cook, J, 13:44; 18. Ross Gage, SL, 13:53.