October 5, 2009

Lady Tiger runners earn programs highest finish ever at OSU Jamboree

Placing four runners in the top-36 at the Oklahoma State University Jamboree held Saturday in Stillwater, OK, the Cowley College women’s cross country team earned the programs highest ever finish at the meet as they finished second to only New Mexico Junior College in the Small College category.

The top-two teams at the meet each received a trophy.

“That was really cool for the ladies, they have done everything I have asked of them,” Cowley head coach Vince DeGrado said.

Robin Ray had another stellar effort for the Lady Tigers and placed fourth with a time of 18:53.70 in the three-mile race. Ray was just one second out of third place and 17 seconds behind the second place finisher. Her time was more than two and a half minutes faster than what she ran at last year’s meet.

“Robin has been unbelievable this year,” DeGrado said.

New Mexico Junior College’s Caroline Jepleting (16:54.00) finished an eye-popping 1:42.70 ahead of the next closest runner, as she was easily the top finisher in the women’s race.

Lady Tiger sophomore Cecilia Burley (19:44.90) ran a solid race and placed 19th, while Valerie Bland (19:47.50) and Leigh Ann Omarkhail (20:11.30) finished 24th and 36th, respectively.

Burley is getting stronger and stronger each week. Her time of 19:44.90 was 40 seconds faster than her time at last year’s meet.

“Cecilia is getting back to where she needs to be,” DeGrado said. “This is the first meet she has ran this year where her side didn’t hurt.”

Cowley will have one more race prior to the conference/region meet, as they will take part in the Johnson County Invite Saturday at 11 a.m.

“This meet will come down to us and Johnson and be kind of a conference preview,” DeGrado said. “It should give us an idea of where we sit.”

Cowley results:
(4) Robin Ray, 18:53.70; (19) Cecilia Burley, 19:44.90; (24) Valerie Bland, 19:47.50; (36) Leigh Ann Omarkhail, 20:11.30; (60) Bailey Hawkins, 20:39.90; (81) Cassy Kendrick, 21:11.30; (90) Jessica Dyer, 21:22.40; (101) Elly Adamson, 21:35.60.

Top-10 team scores: (1) New Mexico Junior College, 83; (2) Cowley, 132; (3) Kansas Wesleyan, 152; (4) Midwestern State, 180; (5) New Mexico Highlands, 210; (6) Incarnate Word, 222; (7) Oklahoma Christian, 227; (8) Lubbock Christian, 232; (9) East Central, 240; (10) West Texas A&M University, 254.