Probable Top Five:

SR Ingeborg Loevnes (4:17 1500; 9:27 3K; 9:48 3K Steeple)
SO Jenny Celis (2:08 800; 4:40 Mile)
SR Natalie Baker (16:54 5K)
JR Gintare Zenkeviciute (16:39 5K)
JR Kaela Edwards (2:02 800; 4:26 1500)

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

Katie Spencer via Millard, NE (10:31 3200)
Kaytlyn Larson via Lakeville, MN (2:09 800; 4:58 1600)

Analysis:

Head Coach Dave Smith has a decent women’s cross country squad on paper, but injuries plagued the Cowgirls last fall. Their top runner will no doubt by breakout steepler Ingeborg Loevnes. After running 9:48 this spring in the steeplechase, she’ll look to lead the Cowgirls back to the NCAA Championships, where they last made an appearance in 2012.

One of the biggest factors for the OK State ladies will be how their middle distance stars convert to the grass. Juniors Kaela Edwards and Savannah Camacho are outstanding in the 800m, but how are they in XC? Edwards wasn’t around last fall, and Camacho ran 18:15 over 5K at the Kentucky Bluegrass meet in September. If they can turn their speed into 6K strength, they will impact this squad greatly. Another big help would be sophomore Jenny Celis. In her freshman campaign, she was an NCAA indoor mile qualifier before disappearing in the spring. If healthy, she could provide a good 1-2 punch with Loevnes in the lead.

The Cowgirls have a home field advantage with the Big 12 Championships taking place on the Cowboy Jamboree stomping grounds, and should absolutely capitalize on it. Much like their men’s squad, the women have a light schedule that doesn’t allow for much gain in the Kolas points department. Iowa State should dominate the Midwest Region again this fall, but OK State could easily match up with Minnesota and take the No. 2 spot.