Tiger runners stack up well against NCAA schools
Ranked a top the latest NJCAA Division II poll, the Cowley College men's cross country team found themselves going head-to-head with numerous NCAA Division I and II schools at the Chile Pepper Invitational held Saturday at the University of Arkansas.
The Cowley men placed 17th out of 36 teams, while NCAA Division II Colorado School of Mines placed first. Oklahoma City University's Zouhair Talbi won the men's five-mile race with a time of 23:28.5.
The Tigers finished just behind NCAA Division I programs Texas Tech and Long Beach State.
"We go to the Chile Pepper Invitational to get an eye opener when it comes to competition," Cowley head coach Cameron Rieth said. "We went against several NCAA Division one and two schools and competed well with them."
Cowley's Adrian Diaz-Lopez ran another strong race, placing 25th out of 327 runners with a time of 24:40.4. Just behind him was Tiger sophomore Amos Pkiach, who placed 30th with a time of 24:47.5.
Other Tiger runners at the meet were, Santiago Nunez-Gonzalez (26:17.7), Xoel Rodriguez-Abad (26:36.8), Aidan Wells (27:07.4), Caleb Liermann (27:26.0), Jacob Coronado (27:29.0), Goran Duijsters (27:57.6), Muneer Suied (28:14.8), Joel Rodriguez (28:28.2), Corbin Liermann (28:28.8), Edwin Olvera (28:58.0), Aaron Medrano (29:35.6), and Dylan Roe (31:38.7).
"Santiago Nunez and Xoel really stepped up and ran phenomenal," Rieth said. "Jacob Coronado also ran an incredible time for a freshman."
Cowley will return to action Saturday when they compete at the Fort Hays State Tiger Open held at the Sand Plum Nature Trail in Victoria, KS.