Tiger track athlete signs with the University of Central Arkansas

Cowley College sophomore Mason Bickle, a Coaches Association All-American runner on the Tiger cross country team and a national qualifier on the track and field team, recently signed a letter of intent to continue his track career at NCAA Division I school University of Central Arkansas.

Bickle helped the Tiger men's cross country team to a seventh-place national finish in the fall before placing 16^th in the 5,000-meter run while competing at the 2024 track and field indoor nationals. He has run the 11^th fastest time in Cowley history in the 5,000-meter run.

"He has been one of those guys that have come in and really put the work in, fell in love with the process, and didn't try to take shortcuts," Cowley head coach Cameron Rieth said. "His personal bests out of high school did not jump off the page, but you could tell on his visit he wanted to be good and just needed a little bit of time and a little bit of direction."

Bickle is glad he decided to come to Cowley rather than start his collegiate career at a four-year school.

"Coming to Cowley from a smaller high school was a good step for me," Bickle said. "I was able to focus more on my academics as well as athletics."

The chemistry major looks forward to competing at the University of Central Arkansas next season.

"Central Arkansas has a very good science program and the coach and team felt a lot like Cowley," Bickle said. "Before leaving Cowley, I hope to compete at outdoor nationals and try to earn All-American honors in the 5K."

Rieth expects Bickle to seamlessly transition to his new school due to the runner's drive, work ethic, and coachability.

"Mason has been incredible to work with," Rieth said. "Central Arkansas is going to get a good one with a lot of potential to continue to grow."