Tiger runners set sights on national title

One season removed from a third place finish at the NJCAA Division I National Championship, the Cowley College men's cross country team returns a talented roster ready to make another run at a national title.

The Tigers return 12 runners from a season ago.

"We return nearly everyone, so we just need to put in the work and be the best version of ourselves that we can be," Cowley head coach Cameron Rieth said.

Highlighting the list of returning athletes is last year's individual national runner-up, Adrian Diaz-Lopez, and Amos Pkiach, who placed third. Both runners earned First Team All-American honors.

"Adrian and Amos have looked as good as they ever have," Rieth said.

Fellow returning runners Xoel Rodriguez-Abad, Joel Rodriguez, and Edwin Olvera placed among the top-25 runners at last year's national meet.

Aidan Wells, Santiago Nunez, and Goran Duijsters also return for a second season.

"Goran has been a pleasant surprise and will run in a very big pack of Orange," Rieth said. "I can't wait to see who on the roster blossoms."

Dawson Crawley, Edwin Olvera, Caleb Liermann, and Corbin Liermann return for their third year in the soccer program.

"Those guys are wiser and understand how to train," Rieth said. "It is nice having those guys around."

Sophomore GoPalan RamaSawmy returns to the team after a year away, while newcomers on the squad are Jacob Coronado, Edgar Reyes, Aaron Medrano, Dylan Roe, Tyefe McIntosh, and twin brothers Basheer Suied and Muneer Suied. The brothers watched their sister, Lubna, capture the women's individual national title a season ago.

"We have had a couple of surprises on the freshmen side," Rieth said. "It is nice to have depth and an experienced team."

With so many experienced runners to go along with some talented freshmen, Rieth believes this year's team has a chance to bring home its first national championship since 2010.

"This group are hard workers and will leave a lasting impact at Cowley," Rieth said.  "We need to take care of ourselves and do all the little things right. If we can do that, our goal is to win a national championship."

The Tigers will begin their hunt for a national title on Friday, September 3 when they compete in the Terry Masterson Invite in Hutchinson, KS.