Cross Country ready to step into 2019

GOODWELL, Okla. Oklahoma Panhandle State University's men's and women's cross country teams will embark on their 2019 season, traveling to the Hutchison Community College "Terry Masterson Twilight Classic" in Kansas. The race steps off at 8:30 p.m. for women and 9:05 p.m. for men, at the Fun Valley Sports Complex (4401 W. 4th Ave., Hutchison, Kan.).

The women will be competing in a three-mile race, with the men following with a four-mile run.

Head coach Denise Levine, entering her third season at the Panhandle State cross country helm, will boast a veteran women's lineup. Levine's roster has three returners from 2018 junior Sarai Ortega (Goodwell, Okla.), along sophomores Shayna Glover (Goodwell, Okla.) and Gabrielle Ramos (Guymon, Okla.).

Transfers Anahy Argueta (Perryton, Texas) a senior who ran two seasons at Garden City Community College - and junior Emily Westeman (Syracuse, Kan.) from Colby C.C., will be making their debut as Aggies. Additionally, Levine welcomes freshman Susy Chavez (Gruver, Texas).

Every runner on Levine's women's and men's rosters are from the region, including a combined eight runners who call either Guymon or Goodwell home.

The Aggies' men's squad has just one returning runner in sophomore Baruc Ortega (Stratford, Texas). The balance of the Panhandle men's team is comprised of freshmen: Justin Duran (Stratford, Texas); Daniel Gayton (Guymon, Okla.); David Gayton (Guymon, Okla.); Asher Kraft (Guymon, Okla.); Jovanny Rodriguez (Dimmitt, Texas), and; Okba Rezene (Guymon, Okla.).