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Season Preview for Cross Country

Lady Tigers short on numbers, but big on talent

Entering the season with just seven runners on its squad, the Cowley College women’s cross country team will need to avoid injury during the 2008 season.

Despite the lack of numbers, the Lady Tigers have some talented runners on its roster.

Sophomore Jessica McLeod joins the squad after placing in the top-10 in the mile run and 1,000-meter run during the 2008 indoor track season.

Fellow sophomores Janee’ Gabbard and Kari Rinehart each ran well as freshmen and gained experience competing at the national championships.

“Kari could be a big surprise for us, and we hope Janee’ will step up and run the way we think she is capable of,” head coach Vince DeGrado said.

The squad lost its top-two international runners from a year ago in Jeniffer Cherono and Irene Kosgei, while also losing its top American runner, Ashley Cronin.

“I don’t think people realize how valuable Ashley was to us, she was an incredible American runner,” DeGrado said.

However, DeGrado is excited about the addition of freshman Robin Ray of McAlester, Okla.

“I think she has just as much talent as Ashley Cronin does, she is going to be huge for us,” DeGrado said.

Cecilia Burley from Ponca City, Okla. also has a chance to be a solid runner for the Lady Tigers.

Freshmen Amanda VanDyke from Wichita and Jessica Dyer from Collinsville, Okla., round out the Lady Tiger squad.

“Even though our numbers are down we have the potential to be better than last year,” DeGrado said. “I think we can have better four through seven runners.”

The Lady Tigers placed second in the Jayhawk East, third in Region VI, and eighth at last year’s NJCAA National Championships.

Like the men’s team, the Lady Tigers are hoping to add an international runner or two in early September.

“If we pick up the international runners I think we can be top-two in the conference, top-three in the region, and a top-10 team in the nation,” DeGrado said. “But, there are a lot of miles to run between now and November.”