Though only a redshirt freshman who stands roughly 5 feet tall, Cassie Hintz demands respect.

Despite her youth, Cassie Hintz has proved an indispensable part of the Wisconsin Badger women’s cross country team this fall and will remain so for years to come.

Forget about potential, she has already come into her own. Most recently, she placed 19th in the 6K at the Pre-NCAA invite with a time of 20:46.5. She, along with All-American teammate Hanna Grinaker (16th place), led Wisconsin to a 9th-place finish at the event in Terre Haute, Ind.

“I’m happy where Cassie is right now, but I think the bigger picture is: Can we get the rest of the team where they need to be?” Stintzi said.

Hintz, a 19-year-old from Stillwater, Maine, has established herself as a key component of the Badgers team. She was the 2007 Crazylegs Classic champion, covering the 8,000-meter course in 27:43 and the 2007 Syttende Mai champion, covering the 20-mile course in 2:00.1.

Stintzi gives Hintz his highest regard. He recognizes Hintz’s efforts to boost her teammates and keep them motivated during practice.

“It’s very tough for someone like Cassie or Hanna Grinaker to hold back and wait for other runners during our hard sessions,” Stintzi said. “But during our recovery days, Cassie has done a great job of running with as many of our athletes as possible to encourage them in their training and racing.”

As for the team’s results, he hasn’t been particularly satisfied. The UW women fell from No. 5 to No. 26 in the national polls prior to the Pre-NCAA event because of a lackluster showing at the Paul Short Invitational. Then it finished ninth at the Pre-NCAA competition behind Big Ten foes Minnesota (4th) and Michigan State (3rd).

Even though their pre-NCAA performance wasn’t as outstanding as Stintzi had hoped, the Badgers were rewarded with a jump in the national polls to No. 21. Wisconsin trails only Big Ten foes Michigan State and Michigan in the Great Lakes regional rankings. The Spartans are first in the region and No. 7 in the nation while the Wolverines are second regionally and No. 6 nationally. Minnesota, at No. 8, is also ranked higher than the Badgers nationally. The goal for the team is be one of the nation’s elite teams. Stintzi thinks that Hintz can make improvements, which will help the team reach its goals and potential.

“Cassie, like most talented young runners, has to learn patience both in races and in her training,” Stintzi said. “She is very motivated and willing to do the hard work necessary to become a very good runner — but it takes time to develop. I think she has made significant progress in this regard already this season.”

If Hintz can harness her skills and develop as Stintzi plans, the UW women, with Hintz and Grinaker as their leaders, should enter the national spotlight at the approaching Big Ten tournament and the looming NCAA championships.

Hintz has proven steady so far, and Stintzi expects bigger things to come.