Doran credits SIU coach for renewed vigor

A year ago, Kevin Doran thought he was done running competitively.

Doran, now a junior on the SIU cross country team, said he wasn't looking to get involved with running again after his rough experience at Missouri State freshman year.

Luckily for the Salukis, he gave it a shot.

Doran said he was also recruited by SIU out of high school, but chose Missouri State University because of the recruitment trip. He said the original coach that recruited him seemed to fit his running style. The scholarship money offered didn't hurt either.

Everything was going Doran's way until his freshman season neared.

Two weeks before the season started, his coach left for Mississippi State.

Doran couldn't blame his coach for going back to his alma mater.

"His family and friends still lived there, I just wish he would have told us earlier," Doran said.

When the season began, Doran said he and new coach Greg Hipp didn't see eye to eye.

His first season was filled with complications. He started out with a stress fracture. He said he was rushed back too quickly from the injury and felt burnt out.

He was upset with the way things were going off the field, too.

Doran said he was struggling with the transitions from high school to college, and the coaching staff didn't offer support.

"I was struggling at the time and coach Hipp really took the fun out of it," Doran said.

Hipp defended his system. He said his system works well and pointed out MSU has more all conference runners then any other team in the Missouri Valley Conference. Hipp said Doran handled the situation properly, however.

"I'm fine with Kevin at SIU because he was straight up with us and I respected that honesty," Hipp said. "There are no hard feelings and I wish him the best of luck."

After his freshman year, Doran wanted to be closer to his home in Murphysboro, so he transferred to SIU.

When he first came to SIU, cross country was the last thing on his mind. He knew SIU cross country coach Matt Sparks was recently promoted to head coach of the men's team, but it still took some convincing to get him on the team.

Doran said Sparks called him after he came to SIU and tried to convince him to give running another shot.

Spark's perseverance paid off as Doran came to run for the team last spring.

"The main reason I came back was because it didn't feel like a job for me anymore," Doran said. "Sparks and I get along really well and I received a partial scholarship."

Now, Doran is considered a team leader. When senior all conference runner Joe Byrne graduated last year, Sparks called on Doran to fill the void.

Sparks said he is proud of his runner in the leadership role because of his positive influence.

"Kevin and I share the same views on training and philosophy," Sparks said. "He has the understanding and passion to go along with pure speed."

Doran will be in action with the cross country team Sept. 30 at the Loyola Invite.