October 26, 2009

Lady Tiger runners capture program’s first ever region title

With its top-seven runners placing amongst the top-22 entries at the Jayhawk Conference/Region VI Championships held in Overland Park on Saturday, the Cowley College women’s cross country team captured the region title for the first time in the program’s history.

The Lady Tigers also won its first conference title since 2002 as they finished 18 points ahead of Johnson County in the conference and 14 points in front of Butler Community College in the region.

Cowley head coach Vince DeGrado, who was named the Region VI Coach of the Year for the second straight season, had high hopes for his runners entering the year and the team did not disappoint on Saturday.

“Our girls took control of the race early and ran as if they had something to prove,” DeGrado said. “This sets a precedent for years to come and sets us up to have a nice recruiting year.”

Cowley was led by Robin Ray, who placed third in the region and was the Jayhawk East conference champion with a time of 18:56.7 in the 3.1-mile race. Cecilia Burley (19:58.1), Leigh Ann Omakhail (20:01.2), and Valerie Bland (20:13.5) each placed in the top-10 and also earned all-region honors for the Lady Tigers.

Bland’s finish was remarkable considering she had her shoe ripped off in the first 100-meters of the race. Bland came back from being in last place in the race, to finish 10th.

“She could have easily panicked, but she stayed calm and ran a great race,” DeGrado said.

Cowley freshmen, Bailey Hawkins (20:58.1). Elly Adamson (21:00.6), and Cassy Kendrick (21:26.3) rounded out the Lady Tiger runners by placing 16th, 17th, and 22nd, respectively.

“All of our girls went out and competed very well and at this time of year that is all you can ask for,” DeGrado said.

With Burley placing sixth in the conference and Omarkhail finishing seventh, the duo joined Ray as all-conference runners. Butler Community College’s Patrober Murindat was the women’s region champion with a time of 18:20.8.

Cowley will now have some time off to prepare for the NJCAA Championships, which will take place Nov. 14 in Peoria, IL.

“My biggest concern for the ladies is to not be satisfied,” DeGrado said. “If we compete like we can we should have a shot at being in the top-three and coming back with a trophy.”

Region team scores: (1) Cowley, 41; (2) Butler, 55); (3) Johnson County, 69; (4) Colby, 81; (5) Coffeyville, 155; (6) Highland, 173; (7) Hutchinson, 179; (8) Garden City, 183.

Conference team scores: (1) Cowley, 19; (2) Johnson County, 37; (3) Coffeyville, 95; (4) Highland, 100.