The Barton Community College women's cross country team begins the 2014 season on Friday at the Kings Sandwich Classic in Iola, Kansas.  Hosted by Allen Community College, the Lady Cougars field a team of talented first-year runners ready for their first taste of collegiate competition.  

"We're very young," said second year Head Coach Parker Cowles.  "But I think we are poised to be competitive at both the Region VI and national level."

The Lady Cougars feature one of the premier distance runners in the NJCAA in Lydia Mato who looks to extend her dominance from track and field over to cross country this fall.  Winning every award possible during the 2014 indoor track and field season, the Ghana native added two more titles in the national outdoor season winning both the 5,000m and 10,000m while also adding a second place finish in the 1500m to teammate Agnes Abu. 

Mato will be backed up by freshmen Holly Pierce of Woodlands, Texas, and Lauren Samson of Three Rivers, Michigan, as well Kansas freshman Yazmin Rendon of Dodge City, Julee McAtee from Central Plains, Trenna Cox of Smith Center and former Great Bend standout Kaitlynn Tuey.

Despite their youth Coach Cowles expects a lot from his team. 

"The women had a great first week of practice," said Cowles.  "This team has a lot of potential stars and national competitors."

The women's two-mile race will begin at 7:00 p.m. followed by the men's 5k race at 7:20 p.m. on the Allen Community College Campus.