After the wackiest running year any student-athlete has ever seen, the Cougars have gathered a squad full of optimism and excitement. Growth and belief are in good supply for the Colorado Christian women's cross country team as they get set to toe the line for the start of the 2021 season.
"This group had a good spring and we are hopeful the success of the last spring will translate to this fall. More than performance gains, this group has shown a lot of mental growth and belief in each other's ability as a group. If they can maintain a positive mindset this team could accomplish some impressive things this year," head coach Jon Poag said.
A trio of runners will prove pivotal in the scoring. Returning for her second cross country season is Christy Schuster. The super senior is in her second collegiate season on the grass and dirt and is slated to be a major factor in the Cougars scoring efforts.
A pair of collegiate cross country newcomers will be building off a solid track and field campaign. Shannon King was an all-conference honoree on the track while Paige Tack just missed out on those accolades and if her preseason runs are any indication, she will finish early in each race she competes.
Expect Michelle Kuipers to continue her spring momentum. The sophomore earned All American honors on the track and competed at both the Indoor and Outdoor NCAA Track and Field Championships.
Two more returners – junior Callie Ketner and senior Ana Muehlbauer – will also vie for significant scoring position. During their first seasons in a Cougar uniform, each has had noteworthy racing performances. Meanwhile, freshman Alysia Wagner has shown major promise during the squad's preseason practices as the Cougars look to break through and each their full potential.
"Having the ability to break through and actually doing it are two different things, but the momentum does seem to be going in the right direction," Poag said. "These women expect to be competing for a spot at the NCAA Championships, and I think that is the right expectation."
Continued Poag, "Qualifying for the NCAA Championships would be a success, but as this team learned in 2019, you can be ranked in the national top 25 and still not be selected to the NCAA Championships. This team is looking to leave fate on the sideline and control their own destiny."
