The SWOSU Lady Bulldogs Cross Country team has faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, but head coach Jenifer Johnson said the team will remain positive.
“I expect our girls to do the best they can with a positive attitude in the 2021 season,” Johnson said. “There are bound to be lots of changes at the meets with social distancing in mind. I expect them to compete to their fullest potential despite any abnormalities.”
SWOSU’s cross country team is really young, made up of five freshmen, a sophomore and two juniors.
The runners on the Lady Bulldogs Cross Country are two juniors in Bailey Richardson and Josilyn Schenk. The lone sophomore is Sienna Collins. The five freshman are Katelyn Floyd, Abigail Lewis, Zalee Tapia, Courtney Williams and Giselle Zavaleta. Johnson said the girls keep each other motivated and work really hard.
“I have really enjoyed watching the work ethic in the girls especially this fall,” Johnson said. “With all of the uncertainty in having a season at all they did a fantastic job of keeping each other motivated to compete in 2021. I am anxious to see some of the upperclassmen set some new personal and school records.”
Johnson said with the postponement of cross country to the spring, the athletes will be competing in Track and Field as well.
“Cross country season was postponed from the fall semester to the spring splitting the one semester into two seasons,” Johnson said. “We will be competing in cross country until February 27 with outdoor track starting immediately after. Whereas normally the entire semester would be dedicated to track and field.”
Johnson said they are unsure of what to expect this track season with COVID-19 restrictions, but for cross country season, the girls will be required to wear face coverings at the finish line.
“We do not know a lot yet about how the track season will be changing but as far as cross country races the girls will have to wear face coverings up until the start line,” Johnson said. “Spectators are asked to avoid the start/finish areas and spread out more along the course.”
SWOSU will host two cross country meets this semester at Rader Park. The conference preview, Friday January 29, and then the Great American Conference race, February 27. SWOSU opens its season, Friday, at Oklahoma Baptist in the OBU Invitational. Their other meet is Friday, February 12 at East Central in the ECU Tiger Chase.
2021 roster
Sienna Collins — sophomore
Katelyn Floyd — freshman
Abigail Lewis — freshman
Bailey Richardson — junior
Josilyn Schenk — junior
Zalee Tapia — freshman
Courtney Williams — freshman
Giselle Zavaleta — freshman