Defending national champions reload for a run at another title
Returning three of its top five runners from last season’s national title-winning team, the Cowley College women’s cross-country team should be in the hunt to repeat as champions.
Returning three of its top five runners from last season's national title-winning team, the Cowley College women's cross-country team should be in the hunt to repeat as champions.
Gone from last year's team is All-American Dhennifer Vaz and Leticia Belo. However, Cowley returns Kayli Myers, Brittannia Willis, and Tavarie Campbell. Myers and Willis earned Coaches Association All-American honors as freshmen, while Campbell placed 24th in the conference during the 2023 season.
Fellow sophomore Lili-Rose Breheret also returns after gaining valuable experience as a freshman.
Among the six freshmen on the roster, Savannah Fischer has had a strong summer. Pauline Althoff is also coming to the Tigers already established and will make an immediate impact on the team.
"We are not re-building, just reloading," Cowley head coach Cameron Rieth said. "We aren't as deep as I would like, but I think we still have the pieces in play to do well."
Other freshmen are Alivia Bacon and Jodie Campbell, as well as twin sisters Mariana Lozano-Cardenas and Daniela Lozano-Cardenas.
"I feel good about our freshmen, but with it being early in the process, you just never know what to expect," Rieth said.
Cowley will have an opportunity to run in front of his home fans when they host the Tiger Preview on October 12 and the Region VI/Jayhawk Conference championships on October 25.
"We are excited to host a couple of meets this season," Rieth said. "I think this group has a good work ethic, but we will need to see how we develop. All we can do is focus on us. We hope to engrain some good habits and learn how to develop."