NXN champion will sign with Wisconsin

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Kai Wilmot said it was a tough choice between Stanford and Wisconsin, but the Badgers and head coach Mick Byrne ultimately won out. 

"It was just kind of overall that it felt like a better fit," said Wilmot, a senior at North Central who was the individual winner at Nike Cross Nationals in December. 

In early January, Wilmot traveled to Scotland to run with the U.S. junior cross country team at the Bupa Great Edinburgh XC Race. Byrne was a member of the U.S. contingent on that trip and Wilmot got to spend a little extra time with him.

"That was useful," Wilmot said. "I got more of a sense how he operates. That was nice."

After being limited somewhat by injuries over the past couple of seasons, Wilmot's biggest goal now is to be strong and healthy for the start of the outdoor season. He may go to the UW Open in February to contest a 3,000 or mile to get a race under his belt.

Wilmot said it was likely that he and teammate Tanner Anderson would travel to Arcadia for the 3,200 meters in April.