Led by two award-winning returners, the 2019 women's cross country team is eyeing a repeat conference championship and a team trip to the NJCAA championship.

The 2018 season saw the Cyclones bring home an Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference championship, one runner finish first among all runners in the conference to earn Skyway Most Valuable Runner, and three runners qualify for and run in the national tournament. With two returners and a slew of speedy additions, the Cyclones are ready for more success.

Victoria Granz (Richards) and Madison Krisch (Tinley Park) earned All-Conference and All-NJCAA Region IV honors before competing at nationals last year. The duo put in plenty of work in the offseason and will lead the newcomers, who won't be far behind them.

Adali Haro (Eisenhower), Jaime Funk (Sandburg) and Evelin Arenas (Argo) should be right behind the veterans while Yasmeen Abuhayyeh (Stagg) and Nicole Pannitto (Andrew) are working their way into the pack. Together, they should be a fast crew.

"I like their work ethic a lot. They're willing to work hard," said head Coach Dimitri Dimizas, who enters his fourth season leading the Cyclones. "The goal is to win conference, and I like our chances just knowing what we've had in years past. The two keys are health and having a tight pack."

The freshmen are learning about the importance of pack mentality in competitive college running, and the returners know what is possible—they want the whole team at nationals this year.

Sarah McCann is back as the assistant coach, bringing with her a strengthening program to help prevent injuries. As long as the Cyclones can stay healthy and strong, that repeat championship is within reach.

The Cyclones open their season on Friday, Aug. 30, at the Earlybird Invitational in Elmhurst.