Basic’s Campbell getting his kicks in cross country

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Oct. 19, 2000 | 10:37 a.m.

Every season, Basic's cross country coaches jokingly thank their school's soccer staff for cutting a scrawny freshman four years ago.

By next month, that student -- senior Kolby Campbell -- may be the one laughing the loudest. With cross country's biggest postseason meets fast approaching, Campbell is a key to the Wolves' regional and state title hopes, and a favorite to capture this year's 4A state individual championship.

"At the time, I was bummed out I got cut," Campbell said, recalling his brief tryout for the Wolves' soccer squad in the fall of 1997. "My friends were trying out for soccer, and I wanted to play too. But it's really worked out the way it was supposed to."

Though his older sister, Rochelle, had run on Basic's cross country squad before him, Campbell said he never considered distance running until he didn't make the soccer team.

Nevertheless, Wolves head cross country coach Larry Burgess said Campbell had potential from the start.

"I always say that the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree," Burgess said. "These things run in families."

Campbell spent most of his freshman campaign on the JV squad, then got called up to the varsity team toward the end of the season. Though he did not compete in the state meet, he flew to Reno on his own and watched as his Basic teammates took second place.

"The atmosphere of being at state helped me out," Campbell said. "Just seeing the other guys run got me hungry for the competition."

Running the 1,600 and 3,200 meters for the school's track team in the spring, Campbell continued to shave seconds, then minutes off his times.

"I don't push or require much out of freshmen, but in Kolby's case it started to become apparent he had ability by (his first) track season," Burgess said.

As a sophomore, Campbell earned a paid trip to the state meet and this time, his Wolves claimed the ultimate prize -- their third state title in the 1990s. To top it off, Campbell met his own personal goal as well, finishing 13th to earn top-15 "all-state" status.

"I was very pleased with that race," Campbell said. "That was my high point at the time. It was exactly what we were looking for -- the team won and I got all-state."

Last year, Campbell took another step up the ladder individually, placing third in the state behind Bonanza's Cory Jeffers and Lowry's Bret Ferrier. With Jeffers graduated and Ferrier's Lowry team now in Class 3A, that left Campbell as Nevada's top returner.

But though he admits an individual state title is "definitely in the back of my mind," Campbell said he'll continue to approach the sport the way he always has -- team first. Last year, the Wolves finished second to South Tahoe, leaving a bit of unfinished business for 2000.

"I would much rather have the team win state than me win personally," Campbell said. "Being in that atmosphere of winning state (sophomore year) was definitely some motivation. And we feel like we owe it to coach (Burgess). He's put so much into this program."

So far this year, Campbell has shown no signs of slowing down. Far from it, as he has yet to lose to a runner from Nevada. Already on his resume this season is a win at the prestigious Las Vegas Invitational, along with second-place finishes at both the Lake Havasu (Ariz.) Invitational and Central Park Invitational in Huntington Beach, Calif.

Next Friday, Campbell and the Wolves try for the Sunrise regional title, with team and individual berths to state at stake. The following weekend, Boulder City's Veterans Memorial Park will host the 4A State Meet, where Campbell will try to wrap up an unlikely cross country career in winning style.

"He quietly goes about what he has to do," Burgess said. "If he's working hard and competing hard, everything will take care of itself."