2010-2011 Team

The 2009 version of the Lady Westerner’s cross-country team was the most successful in the history of the women’s cross-country program at Western Texas College. Coach Garrett Hicks hopes to improve on that accomplishment during the 2010 season.

While Nelly Towett, now at the University of Arkansas (Monticello), is gone, back are Jessica Rodriquez, Samantha Stomporst, and Tabitha Kearse. Rodriquez held the number one spot on the team through the entire season, finished seventh at the regional meet, and placed 20th at the NJCAA national championships, becoming the programs first All-American. Kearse was out most of the season, as she battled health issues. “Stomporst has worked extremely hard this summer,” said Hicks, “we are anxious to see what she will do in competition.”

The Lady Westerners have some key recruits that Hicks is counting on to help move the program forward, as Hicks assessed, “we are looking at four athletes that we feel can push Jessica for the number one spot on the team.” Those four include Abigail Gonzales (Graham, TX), Ashley Seymour (Oviedo, FL), Crystal Palamer (Glengoff, Jamaica) and Sharlene Brown (Kingston, Jamaica). Gonzales, and excellent student, brings some impressive credential to WTC, including a fourth place finish in the 3200 meters at the Texas state track and field championships in her class. “Another new recruit that may be a dark horse in this race is Daniella Flores from Bovina, Texas,” quipped Hicks.