Tiger track and field teams hope depth will be key to success
After several top three finishes in the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division in recent years, the Cowley College women and men’s indoor track and field teams are hoping this is the season they regain the conference title.
After several top three finishes in the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division in recent years, the Cowley College women and men's indoor track and field teams are hoping this is the season they regain the conference title.
The Tiger indoor track and field teams will open the 2021 season by competing at the Highland Multis Friday and Saturday in Highland, KS.
"We are very excited for this year," Cowley head coach Mark Phillips said. "Recruiting has gone very well thanks to assistant coaches Cam (Cameron Rieth) and Glen (Glenwood Edwards)."
The Lady Tigers have brought in more than 20 freshmen to go along with the 11 returning sophomores.
"We are deeper than we have been on the women's side and have added some individuals that can compete in a lot of different events," Cowley assistant track/head cross country coach Cameron Rieth said.
Emma Constantini, from France, is an impressive freshman that will look to make an immediate impact in the 3,000 and 5,000-meter runs. She will join Lubna Suied, the individual national cross country champion, as region championship contenders in the 3,000 and 5,000.
Zinara Lesley joins Suied as one of the Lady Tigers' top returners. Lesley was a national qualifier in the 600 and 800-meter runs and is coming off a strong offseason.
Throws coach Glenwood Edwards is also optimistic about the throwers he has assembled to go along with returning national qualifier Kayla Noear.
"We have several throwers that can step up and do well," Edwards said.
The Lady Tigers placed second in the conference and placed 10th nationally during the 2020 indoor season.
"The women's team is better than last year," Phillips said. "We are expecting great stuff out of them."
The Tiger men's team, which failed to score any points at last year's national competition, has added 26 freshman to go along with 22 returning sophomores.
"Conference wise, we have the depth to score points this year," Rieth said. "The region is always tough, but we are hoping to take steps in the right direction."
Cowley is led by freshmen Adrian Diaz-Lopez and Amos Pkiach, who finished second and third, respectively at the cross country national championships. Both runners will compete in the 3,000 and 5,000-meter runs during the indoor season.
Multi-event national qualifier Jack Mull, Dawson Crawley (800-meter run), and Ahmed Brown (shot put) also return, as does pole vaulter Michael Vaught, who is looking better everyday after recovering from injury.
Rieth also believes the team's 4x800-meter relay team and distance medley relay teams should be national qualifiers.
"It will be nice to see what we can do," Rieth said.
The Tigers are hoping for a top-four finish in the region and a top-10 national finish.
"The men's team is better than last year, so we are expecting big things from them," Phillips said.
The Tiger women and men's indoor track and field teams are looking forward to competing at the Highland Multis prior to the Kansas Invite at Washburn University in Topeka on January 23.
"We are looking forward to getting the rust off," Rieth said. "We hope the Highland Multis will be a good jump start to our season. I think we can finish in the top 10 nationally on both sides if we stay healthy."