Aug. 28, 2006                    

Cowley cross country teams place second at season opening meet

IOLA — Opening its season at the Allen County Invite on Friday, the Cowley College men and women’s cross country teams got off to strong starts as they both placed second at the meet.

The Tiger men were led by Stanley Mugo’s first place finish in the 5,000-meter race. The sophomore from Nairobi, Kenya ran a time of 16:07.

“Stanley ran hard enough to win,” Cowley assistant coach Ryan Turner said. “He could have run faster, but there's a time and place for that to happen and this week wasn't the time.  It was a great start for Stanley and the team.”

Freshmen Mauricio Morales (17:11) and Brett Kohen (17:25) ran well in their first college meet as they placed fifth and seventh, respectively. Cowley was without the services of six-time track all-American Daniel Maina, and returning Jayhawk East cross country individual champion Dustin Garcia. Freshman Gilbert Manzanares, who is expected to be another major contributor to the squad, was also held out of the meet.

“Daniel, Dustin, and Gilbert will be huge additions to the team once they get to racing,” Turner said.

Competing in her first collegiate race, Cowley freshman Jeniffer Cherono from Iten, Kenya, placed third in the two-mile race with a time of 12:27.  

“Jeniffer ran really well considering she stepped off the plane on Monday and raced on Friday,” Turner said. “She is a little out of shape, but we expect to fix that and to see great things from her this season.”

Freshman Ashley Cronin (12:43) and sophomore Patricia Dailey (13:19) were the Lady Tigers other top-10 runners as they placed fourth and ninth, respectively.

“Ashley and Patricia each ran well,” Turner said. “Ashley was a little nervous and got her first college race out of the way, and Patricia ran really well for the first meet of the season.”

Irene Kosgei, one of the Lady Tigers’ top runners, did not compete in the season opening meet.

Butler’s men and women’s teams finished first at the meet. The Tiger cross country teams will now prepare for the Friends Invitational held Sept. 8 in Goddard.

“Both of these teams have a bright future, they have just got to stay healthy, keep working hard, and get a little lucky,” Turner said.

Team standings:

MEN

(1) Butler, 30; (2) Cowley, 44; (3) Allen County, 52; (4) Neosho County, 109; (5) Coffeyville, 145; (6) Highland, no team score.

WOMEN

(1) Butler, 21; (2) Cowley, 38; (3) Coffeyville, no team score; (4) Allen County, no team score; (5) Highland, no team score.

Cowley men’s results: (1) Stanley Mugo, 16:07; (5) Mauricio Morales, 17:11; (7) Brett Kohen, 17:25; (13) Ferrien Harris, 17:49; (18) Alex Werner, 18:23; (28) Dakota Price, 19:03; (33) Dustin Pempsell, 19:25.

Cowley women’s results: (3) Jeniffer Cherono, 12:27; (4) Ashley Cronin, 12:43; (9) Patricia Dailey, 13:19; (13) Bethany Schmidt, 13:34; (14) Dawn Zimmerman, 13:35; (15) Brenna Martinez, 13:39; (19) Christy Buller, 14:20; (20) Ali Jorgensen, 15:32; (21) Hannah Burr, 16:20; (22) Kim Bryant, 16:23.

Pictured is Stanley Mugo winning the 5,000-meter race.