May 20, 2009

Pair of track athletes sign with NCAA Division I schools

Having put together two successful seasons running track at Cowley College, Jessica McLeod and Xandria Cash recently signed letters of intent to compete at NCAA Division I schools next season.

McLeod signed with Nichols State University, which is located in Thibodaux, Louisiana. While, Cash signed with Mississippi Valley State University.

At Nichols State, McLeod will run for head coach Scott Williamson, who was coached by current Cowley head coach Mark Phillips, while running track for Johnson County Community College in the mid 1990’s.

In Williamson’s three years at the helm of the Nichols State program, he has recruited and coached 33 school-record holders.

“He is a heck of a young coach and has turned that into a quality program,” Phillips said.

Phillips has enjoyed the opportunity to work with McLeod, who came to Cowley from Jamaica and leaves the program as the indoor school-record holder in the 1,000-meter run (3:05.43) and as a member of the 4x800-meter relay team (9:46.32).

“She is a wonderful young lady that came into the program and worked so hard to get to where she is at,” Phillips said. “She has had quite a career for us.”

McLeod will compete in the 800 and 1,500-meter runs, and as a member of the 4x400 and 4x800-meter relays at the outdoor national championships beginning Thursday in Hutchinson.

McLeod plans to major in English at Nichols State.

“I want to focus on my education, get my degree and do well in track,” McLeod said.

Cash, who is majoring in forensic science, leaves Cowley as the indoor and outdoor school-record holder in the 200 and 400-meter runs. During the indoor season Cash ran 25.78 in the 200-meter run and 58.18 in the 400-meter run. She ran even faster times in the 200 (24.97) and 400 (57.50) meter runs during the outdoor season.

Cash will run for Mississippi Valley State head coach Danielle Douglas, who is working on building up the program. Cash is looking forward to competing at the NCAA Division I level, but will miss Cowley.

“Cowley has been great, my first year was a little rough but I ended up making a lot of new friends,” Cash said. “I am excited to move on to the next level and whatever obstacles I may face I want to overcome them.”

Phillips was happy to see Cash put together a strong sophomore season after battling injuries as a freshman.

“She has had some good success this year and I think she will run even better at Mississippi Valley State,” Phillips said.

Phillips is glad to see two more of his athletes moving on to NCAA Division I schools.

“This is a great opportunity for both of them,” Phillips said. “Part of our responsibility is to make sure our student-athletes go on to four-year schools from here.”