Alva Review-Courier -

Head men's and women's cross country coach Jill Lancaster has announced the addition of five athletes to the women's cross country team. These athletes will join five returning runners to provide coach Lancaster with a diverse amount of talent to work with in her first season at the helm of the program.

“I am delighted to have such a talented group in my inaugural season leading the cross country program,” coach Lancaster said. “Our staff worked hard to locate athletes with talent and passion to make a difference. The Ranger cross country team will be adding five new runners for this fall. We have capitalized on the talents in the junior college ranks to provide additional leadership to those returning and those new student athletes joining our program. Everyone one of these athletes has the ability to put their mark on the all-time performance list and it should be a very exciting season.”

These signees will join a core of returning Rangers in sophomore Clara O'Connor from Edmond, redshirt freshman Melissa Chavez from Beaver, sophomore Capri Gahr from Carmen, senior Willow Gahralso from Carmen, and junior Ana Parra-Concha from Barinas, Venezuela, who will be eager to join forces with these newcomers and continue to move the program forward.

Kayla Gourley will transfer in from Cowley County Community College this fall and originally hails from Wichita, Kansas. Gourley will provide coach Lancaster with the most experience of the incoming recruits and recently finished her junior college career on a high note with personal bests in both cross country and track and field.

“Kayla, with a short history of participation in the sport, has gotten a taste of success and is anxious to go to the next level. Her attention to detail will continue to bring out the best in her. She will definitely be a leader in the program with two years of collegiate experience,” Coach Lancaster said.

Maren Wicker out of Magnolia, Texas, will come to Alva from Odessa College where she spent a year competing at the college ranks. Wicker began her career at a young age and participated on two separate occasions in the Cross Country Junior Olympics as well as the USATF track regional.

“Maren, who specialized in the 1500 meter last spring, will bring foot speed that will help lead the workouts for the program. She has the background history and her commitment to improvement is on pace as she looks to arrive in great shape for the upcoming season,” Coach Lancaster said.

Kendy Salinas will head across the Panhandle from Guymon to join the Ranger's squad fresh off of a four-year career at the high school level. Salinas was a catalyst for her team with consistent performances and qualified for two state cross country championships.

“Kendy has the opportunity to develop her ability into the longer distances contested at the collegiate level. We feel she will only improve with the longer races and has the background to assist in pulling this youthful team together,” said Coach Lancaster.

Mandy Costa out of Bixby will join the program after a basketball career at Frank Phillips College, during which she averaged 12 points a contest. Costa has rekindled a passion for running with Jenks America Track Club this past summer, and will bring experience from the club that produces some of the top talent in the state.

“Mandy has her eye on last season's basketball connection. She is excited to look at duplicating what former Ranger basketball player and cross country school record holder, Renee Contreras, accomplished last season,” said Coach Lancaster.

Madison Herrera out of Indian River High School in Apache will bring her talents as a sprinter specialist to Alva and develop her cross country ability under coach Lancaster. Herrera has already competed at a high level at the State Cross Country Championships, and with her focus now shifted solely on the sport she figures to be an immediate contributor.

“Madison has joined us with the understanding of the challenges of tapping into a sport she only competed in two years in high school. She qualified for the 2A-3A state cross championships one year and looks forward to dedicating her talents to the distances in the future,” Coach Lancaster said.