Women get much needed improvement in last tune-up

by JON DYKSTRA The Iola Register | October 10, 2016

HAYS – The women's team is where DeGrado has some concern entering the lead-up to the postseason meets. The Red Devils took fourth, but they too were without their top runner, Kaitlyn Shoemaker, who ran in the 'university' race and took 30th with an 18:03.4. That time would have been good for second in the 'college race' and would have put the Red Devils in first.

"In theory I'd like to win, but I entered (Shoemaker) in the 'university' race on purpose, because I wanted some of our girls to step up," DeGrado said. "You have a tendency to step up when you are missing someone." DeGrado's concern isn't with his team's current performance, however, it is with health. Several Red Devils are nursing injuries including top freshman Abby Stienhauser. 

"Our women are banged up, but I think a lot of teams are," DeGrado said. "We aren't the favorite going into (the conference/region meet)." "My former school Cowley is, and that's a testament to their new coach they acquired, he really got after it recruiting and built up a very good team. Despite that, Stienhauser was strong in the Tiger Open with a 10th-place time.

"We are trying to figure out how to work with her injury," DeGrado said. "We have three weeks."

Sophomore Vicky Ibarra has been growing stronger all season and showed that with an eight-place showing. "Vicky stepped up huge," DeGrado said. "Her race was big time for us. That is what we are going to have to do if we are going to win (at the conference meet)."

Other Allen finishers were: Kristina Silvers in 27th, Hannah Johnson in 42nd, Jessica Reese in 51st, Maria Puenta in 62nd, Gemma Gonzalez in 82nd, Kim Rodriguez in 37th, Jaelyn Casanova in 129th and Ciera Bennett in 131st. "Kristina has battled some injuries and she is coming on," DeGrado said. "She will be ready in three weeks."

The race included 165 runners.