By Steve Carpenter
Hutchinson CC Sports Information Director

So far, Hutchinson Community College head cross country coach Justin Riggs likes what he sees from his 2020 women's team heading into Friday's season opener.

Riggs has seen toughness, effort and energy from his six-member women's team. Now it's time to see that group in action.

"You really don't know what you have until they race," said Hutchinson's sixth-year head coach. "The whole team has bought in. I'm excited to see what they can do. Their effort is a real strength of the team."

Heading into Friday night's Terry Masterson Twilight Classic, Riggs has two returning sophomores and four freshmen running in the 2020 opening race.

Last season, the Blue Dragon women were Jayhawk West runners-up, fourth in Region VI and 20th in the NJCAA National Championships, the program's third-straight Top 20 national finish.

The Blue Dragons have their top runner back from 2019 in Sheila Too (Eldoret, Kenya).

Too was the top finisher in each of the Blue Dragons' races in 2019, earning All-Region VI honors with a seventh-place finish at the Region VI Championships. She earned All-Jayhawk West honors with a third-place showing among Jayhawk West runners. Her freshman-best 5,000-meter time was 19:39.45, the 21st fastest 5,000-meter time in Blue Dragon Women's history. Too placed 50th at the NJCAA Division I Championships in a time of 20:02.

"I think this season is going to be really good for me," Too said. "I've tried pushing myself hard to improve."

Also back from last season is local product Megan Miller (Buhler HS). She ran a season's best 20:49.6 and finished 31st at the Fort Hays State Tiger Open. Miller was 26th in the Region VI Cross Country Championships and 19th amongst Jayhawk West runners with a time of 21:56.87. She finished 141st at the 2019 NJCAA Cross Country Championships with a time of 21:43.

Riggs is very high on his four incoming freshmen.

Louise Cocking (Derbyshire, UK) is the only international freshman this season. Noel Hidalgo is from Hooker, Oklahoma, while Izzy Wheeler (Belleville) and Jurney Yung (Andale) are in-state runners.

"Izzy has a really good training block coming in because she has surpassed where I thought she would be at this point," Riggs said. "Louise has been really good. She has been challenging Sheila for the top spot. She will have a good career here."

As far as the season for the runners, it has been unique in many ways. Because of the Covid-19 Pandemic, Blue Dragon Cross Country will be the only show on campus this fall. All other fall sports had their seasons pushed back to spring because of the pandemic.

That means that Friday's Masterson Twilight will be the only Blue Dragon home event of the fall semester.

"It's definitely different on campus not seeing other sports (getting ready for games)," Miller said. "This is going to be special to us that we get this opportunity and treasure it as much as we can."

"This will be an opportunity for us," Too said.

The Masterson Twilight women's race will begin at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, followed by the men's race at 9:05. Fans will not be allowed in the Fun Valley Sports Complex for this year's event.

Last season, the Blue Dragon women finished third at the Masterson Twilight. Too was the sixth overall finisher last season with a time of 19:56.8. Miller was 24th in 21:49.8.