After failing to qualify as a team to compete at the 2019 NJCAA Division I National Championships, the Cowley College men’s cross country team is hoping a strong recruiting class and a move to NJCAA Division II will help the squad return to prominence.

Amos Pkiach, a freshman transfer from the University of Alabama, could challenge the school records. “He will make an imme

diate impact,” Cowley head coach Cameron Rieth said. “He and Adrian Diaz-Lopez will be running up front for us.”

Rieth also said Aidan Wells from Derby, KS, put the work in over the summer and is going to surprise some people.

“His high school PR’s weren’t superfast but I think he will do really well this year,” Rieth said.

Other freshmen on the roster are, Xoel Rodriguez, Jimmy Howey, Joel Rodriguez, Richard Whatley Jr., Santiago Nunez-Gonzalez, Goran Duijsters, Edgar Reyes, and Dennick Luke.

“The men’s team is night and day different than last year,” Rieth said. “We have a lot more depth and have a freshman class that will fight for those top-seven spots.”

Cowley returns six sophomores, while Javyn Contreras is a talented transfer from Garden City.

“We want them to be good leaders for the freshmen and help them through the day-to-day grind,” Cowley head coach Cameron Rieth said.

Edwin Olvera, (28:40.86), Dawson Crawley, Samuel Giles, and freshman Corbin Liermann gained valuable experience as freshmen and competed at the Region VI/ Jayhawk Conference Championships. Other returning runners are Caleb Liermann and Nathaniel Hubbard.

The team will open at the Terry Masterson Twilight Friday, September 4 at Hutchinson Community College.

“We will see a lot of region teams, so we will see how we stack up almost immediately,” Rieth said. “I want to see us compete. Most of them haven’t competed since cross country last year. I know we will be kind of rusty, but I am liking what I am seeing. It’s hard not to get excited about the maturation of the guys team.”

Rieth said the team is made up of a group of runners that want to work hard and are about the process.

“We have a lot of guys that want to contribute and make Cowley what it once was,” Rieth said. “Baby steps, we are not going to knock it out of the park this year, but I think this year will be a massive step forward for us.”