Men's Track and Field Season Preview

Cowley track teams to open season at Nebraska

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.”