the second woman in Shocker history to
reach nationals.
One of the most accomplished athletes in Wichita State history, senior Desiraye Osburn has covered countless miles in cross country and track.
But when her distinguished career is over, it might best be defined by the dramatic way she ran a mere 200 meters — a short stretch in a cross-country race last season.
Competing in the NCAA Pre-National Championships in Terre Haute, Ind., Osburn was doing well against a tough field, cruising along at 19th place with just those 200 meters remaining. And then she hit the wall that all runners fear, and she hit it hard.
"She ran herself to exhaustion," cross country coach Randy Hasenbank recalls. "That last 200, she was swaying back and forth. She fell, got up, fell, got up. She just continued this little personal battle to the end. It was tough to watch. You knew she didn't have anything left, but she would not stop. She literally crawled to the finish."
Osburn has won races, set records, earned All-American honors, but ask Hasenbank for a good story about Osburn, and that's the one he'll tell you. It's a favorite because it illustrates why Osburn has developed from a borderline Division I recruit from tiny Lyndon, Kan., into "simply one of the best athletes in the country," Hasenbank reports. "She's the toughest competitor I've ever been around — male or female. Some athletes have that desire, some don't. She definitely has it."
Hasenbank says he is amazed at Osburn's ability to handle high-intensity workouts, which include up to 70 miles per week.
"I guess I just block out the pain," Osburn says. "I ask myself, ‘Do I want to be average or exceptional?' I want to be exceptional." Osburn enjoyed a breakout season last year, placing ninth at an NCAA regional (20:54.90) and becoming only the second woman in WSU history to reach nationals, where she finished 91st (21:50.1).
In track, she is the Missouri Valley Conference record holder in the mile and an All-American in the 5,000 meters. In addition to cross country nationals, she qualified for both the ncaa indoor and outdoor championships.
"It was just an amazing season," Hasenbank says.
She has continued to run well this year, placing in the top three at the Shockers' first four meets of 2005, including first-place finishes at the J.K. Gold Classic and the Missouri Challenge.
Osburn's senior season should be a memorable one, but she doesn't mention records or specific times when discussing goals.
"I just want to give it all I've got," she says. "I don't want to have any regrets after a race that I should have pushed harder."
