The Bethel University Women's Cross Country team has several key returners who Coach Brandon Kilburn will look to for leadership this season.
Senior Mallory Blankenship is the lone senior. She is joined by juniors, Emily LaForce and Mitzi Murphee. LaForce recorded the best times last season for the Lady Wildcats.
The Lady Cats will miss Anna Martin who holds the school record in the 5K.
Coach Kilburn is in his second season as head coach. He welcomes several newcomers to the 2010 squad. Junior Jennifer Chepkemboi is a transfer from Rend Lake Junior College. Vanessa Cocum is a transfer from Dubuque College in Iowa. Sophomore Cassie Hassell joins the team after running track for Bethel last year. Two local freshmen will hopefully make their mark on the squad. Rikki Greenfield of Lexington and Ashley Dawkins from Jackson North Side join the Lady Cats.
Coach Kilburn feels good about the depth of his squad. "We hope our experience will help us be successful this year. We have more depth and some of the newcomers could really help us."
