October 28, 2008

Cowley women’s cross country places second in Jayhawk East

Competing with only five runners, the Cowley College women’s cross country team gave a valiant effort in finishing second in the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division and third in Region VI Monday in Colby.

“I was so happy with the girls, they never complained about not having seven runners, they just took it in stride,” Cowley head coach Vince DeGrado said. “For us to finish third in the region with five girls was really fun.”

Jessica McLeod (19:40.00), Cecilia Burley (19:49.28), and Robin Ray (20:19.03) earned all-conference and all-region honors as they finished the 3.1-mile race in fourth through sixth place in the conference, respectively. The trio also placed ninth, 11th, and 15th in the region.

“I have been really pleased with Jessica, she’s a competitor,” DeGrado said. “Cecilia and Robin have been more than what I thought they would be.”

Janee’ Gabbard (21:28:32) and Marvia Lewin (21:55.31) rounded out the Lady Tiger runners at the meet. Gabbard finished 13th in the conference and 30th in region, while Lewin placed 15th in the conference and 35th in the region.

For his efforts, DeGrado was named Region VI Women’s Cross Country Co-Coach of the Year along with Johnson County’s Mike Bloenker.

“Mike is a heck of a coach and this is a testament to both of our programs,” DeGrado said.

Johnson County finished 22 points better than Cowley in the conference standings, while Butler County took home the Region VI title.

Cowley will now prepare for the NJCAA National Championships, which will be held Nov. 8 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The Lady Tigers hope to have Kari Rinehart run at nationals, which would give Cowley six runners at the meet.

“I believe our women are better than our ninth place ranking,” DeGrado said.

Women’s Region Team Results:
(1) Butler County, 32; (2) Johnson County, 50; (3) Cowley, 100; (4) Colby, 128; (5) Garden City, 136; (6) Barton County, 162; (7) Hutchinson, 209; (8) Allen County, 214; (9) Cloud County, 217; (10) Highland, 226; (11) Coffeyville, 262; (12) Neosho County, 300.

Women’s Jayhawk East Team Results:
(1) Johnson County, 21; (2) Cowley, 43; (3) Allen County, 93; (4) Highland, 100; (5) Coffeyville, 117; (6) Neosho County, 135.