Seven runners to attend championship meet

Seven Central Wyoming College cross country runners will compete in El Dorado, Kansas for the National Junior College Athletic Association cross country championships Nov. 12. Three are from the women’s team: Jessica Stewart, Rebekah Hutchison and Jessie Walker. And four runners are from the men’s team: Trenton Smith, Tyler Ellicott, James Asmus and Duncan Makin.

“These are some true athletes and they go the extra step,” said Al Lara, head cross country coach. “This will be a good experience for them.”

The women’s team will be running a 5k and the men’s team will be running 5 miles. There will be about 300 runners competing at the invitational.

I’m really looking for them to get a personal record. If they work hard I will be happy. ”

Al Lara, cross country coach

Lara plans to have the team run the course Thursday and Friday to prepare for the meet on Saturday. Lara said that nationals is an invitational and that he set the qualification standards for the team. The women had to complete a 5k in 22 minutes and the men had to complete 5 miles in 29 minutes.

“I am very proud of this group,” Lara said. “Cross country is not an easy sport especially at the collegiate level. Nationals is the biggest stage they will compete in for CWC.”