2009-2010 Team

Western Texas College men’s cross-country coach Garrett Hicks in understandably excited about the 2009 season as his harriers prepare for competition. In his second year as the head men’s cross-country coach, Hicks feels that the team is ready to compete for the top spot in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference (WJCAC) as well as the Region.

The Westerners do not return a single runner from last year. Gone are three national qualifiers in Wesley Fischer (academic All-American) who now runs for Lubbock Christian University, Richard Kogo who transferred to Eastern New Mexico State University, and Andrew Gordon.

Despite the loss of some key runners, Hicks feels he has some dynamic recruits. Of the thirteen new runners, 12 hail from Texas, while the lone out of stater is Dakota Smith from Kealakekua, Hawaii. Coach Hicks assessed his new team, saying, “The guys are very evenly distributed, and the varsity slots are wide open. We have a lot more depth now.”

The Westerners have established a reputation for their stellar performance in the academic arena as well, coming off two consecutive years as academic national champions. Hicks feels they have a shot at a three-peat.

Coach Hicks looks for the Westerners to battle it out with South Plains and El Paso Community College for the WJCAC championship, with the same foes lining up at the Region to compete for the title.

The men’s cross-country team opens at home on September 5th as they host the Western Texas College Six Shooter meet at the golf course on the college campus. Hicks and the men’s cross-country team have their sites on the NJCAA national championship meet in Peoria, Illinois on November 14th.