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With young, but talented squads,
the Cowley College men and women’s track and field teams will
open the indoor season Friday at the University of Nebraska’s
Bob Devaney Sports Center.
The Cowley men, the defending Jayhawk
Conference Eastern Division indoor champions, are hoping for another
strong season.
“I am very pleased with the
kids we have,” Phillips said. “We had a wonderful fall.
The guys are very talented, but they are very young. The big key will
be getting them through the season healthy.”
The Tigers have 19 freshman and
nine sophomores on their roster.
“I like this group,” Phillips
said. “We are deeper in the throws and middle distances, and
also in the pole vault and high jump.”
Stanley Mugo from Kenya is part
of that highly touted freshman class. He will compete in the distance
events.
“Stanley will pay huge dividends
for us,” Phillips said. “He has a high-quality resume and
will make a big impact on our team.”
Phillips is also expecting a lot
from freshmen runners Norberto Alvizo and Larry Hill. Fellow Arkansas
City freshman Dustin Garcia, the conference champion during the cross
country season, will also be counted on to do well.
“Dustin continues to amaze
us, he will be a significant contributor for us,” Phillips said. “Ryan
Stittiams has also stepped up and will be a big part of what we do.”
Freshman Antoine Clark will look
to replace Keith Henry as the Tigers’ top sprinter, while Arkansas
City sophomore Sam Vogele will also be expected to contribute in the
sprint events.
Freshmen David Starnes, Joseph Threet,
and Luke Houser, join returning sophomore Cameron Traxson in the pole
vault. Phillips believes this group of pole vaulters is so talented
that each could qualify for the national meet.
“We should have a strong possibility
of defending our conference title, anything less would be a disappointment,” Phillips
said. “If we get to the region meet healthy we could be in the
top-three in the region. Another goal of ours is to finish in the top-10
at nationals.”
As for the women’s team, the
Lady Tigers are not as deep as the men’s team, but they are equally
as talented.
“Overall, this is a very talented,
fun group,” Phillips said. “All of these girls are very
competitive.”
The women’s squad has even
more inexperience than the men’s team, as 14 of the 17 ladies
are freshmen. However, the freshmen have been impressive in the early
going.
Cowley will be led by its distance
runners as the Lady Tigers return La-Nation McCray, who earned Coaches
Association All-American honors in the 600-meter run during last year’s
national indoor meet. They also add a pair of strong runners in Irene
Kosgei from Kenya, and Patricia Dailey, who placed third in the conference
during the cross country season.
Brittany Fallon and Neisha Peterson
will compete in the sprints and long jump.
“Those two girls are good!” Phillips said.
Lauren Kirsch, a national qualifier
in the pole vault as a freshman, returns to the team. While, Kaitlin
Connor and Angela Welch will add depth in the vault competitions.
Sophomore Veronica Anderson, who
placed seventh in the weight throw at last year’s national indoor
meet, is expected to have another big year in the throws events. While,
freshman Courtney Gougler has also looked good in the early season
practices.
“Courtney has been bombing
some throws,” Phillips said.
If the women’s team can stay healthy they should have a chance
at competing for a conference title.
“If we can win some events
we will have a chance to win conference,” Phillips said. “Johnson
County will out-body us, so we will have to out-talent them.”
The season-opening meet at the University
of Nebraska on Friday will begin with field events at 3 p.m., and running
events at 4 p.m. The meet will conclude on Saturday with events beginning
at noon.
Phillips is looking forward to opening
the season at a top-notch facility.
“This is a chance for our
teams to compete at one of the best tracks in the country,” Phillips
said. “We will have a chance to find out where the freshman are,
and really get our feet wet.”
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