Suied’s victory helps Lady Tigers continue string of conference titles

Cowley College sophomore Lubna Suied continued her dominating sophomore season by winning the women's race at the Cross Country Conference/Region Championships held Friday in El Dorado, KS. Suied's impressive victory helped the Lady Tiger cross country team capture their fourth straight conference title and place second in the region.

Suied (18:05.27) trailed Cloud County's Patricia Koma with less than a mile remaining before coming through with a strong closing kick to win the 5K run by six seconds.

"Coach Cam (Cameron Rieth) prepared me for this moment," Suied said. "He always says it is all about who has the strongest heart. His words really got me through it."

Lady Tiger freshman Karissa Glover (19:42.55) also ran well and placed 10^th as Cowley finished 16 points better than Butler in the conference and second to Cloud County in the region.

"Being blessed to have a season has been something that has kept us going," Suied said. "We knew we had to take advantage of having a season and practice really hard. We also treat every race like it is our last race."

Lady Tiger sophomores Zinara Lesley (20:07.58) and Megan Reynolds (20:21.19) also ran well and placed 17^th and 21^st, respectively.

"The girls showed up big today on a tough course," Rieth said. "Lubna ran out of her mind. You could tell she wanted to win and is getting better and better every time she races."

Other Cowley runners at the meet were freshmen Sierra Saenz (21:32.08), Paula Viciano-Cansino (21:35.28), Emily Flores (23:28.67), and Karstyn Nolan (24:55.60).

"Everybody has a responsibility to the team and has each other's back," Suied said. "Everybody is always pushing each other to do well."

The Lady Tigers, ranked No. 1 in NJCAA Division II, will now prepare for the NJCAA Division II National Championships which will be held Saturday, November 14 in Fort Dodge, IA.

"We know that rankings mean nothing," Suied said. "We need to show up and run our best."

Rieth echoed those sentiments.

"It will not be easy, but if we show up and do what we are capable of we want to bring home a national championship," Rieth said. "I think we have the people to do it, we just have to take care of business and prepare for the cold."

Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division team scores: (1) Cowley, 21; (2) Butler, 37; (3) Fort Scott, 74; (4) Coffeyville, 104.

Region VI team scores: (1) Cloud, 29; (2) Cowley, 76; (3) Colby, 86; (4) Dodge City, 93; (5) Hutchinson, 120; (6) Butler, 134; (7) Barton, 144; (8) Fort Scott, 232; (9) Coffeyville, 268.