The women's cross country team only has three runners, but they still should pose a challenge to many opponents this fall.

Fielding a full team was challenging for Head Coach Dimitri Dimizas as he enters his seventh season leading the program. Despite his efforts, he has just three returners, but all are strong runners who should earn some honors.

Both Jasmeene Guido (Eisenhower) and Olivia Wrobel (Richards) are in their third year while Natalia Wrobel (Richards) returns for her second season. Last year, Guido and Natalia each earned All-Region IV and All-Conference honors, helped their team win conference and region championships, and competed at nationals. Olivia had to take last year off but was an All-Conference runner in 2020.

"All three put in a ton of work since last season. They all should be All-Conference and All-Region runners," Dimizas said. "Olivia is running healthy and looking forward to a real season. Jasmeene is doing PT and strengthening. Her good work ethic will carry her through the season. She's doing everything she can, and I'm confident she'll have a good year. Natalia is doing everything she needs to, including strength training. She wants to break the 5K school record."

Although disappointed in not being able to bring a full team to competitions, Dimizas wants this trio to keep getting faster, earn individual accolades and run at nationals. He's incorporating more hill training to prepare for regionals as well as speed development once a week to increase speed and decrease injuries. "There's only three, but I'm confident in what they can do this year," he said.

The Cyclones have a new assistant coach in alumnus David Alvarez, who ran for Moraine Valley in 2017 and 2018 before seeing a successful career at Saint Xavier University. "He was one of the fastest guys Moraine Valley ever had and then had two successful years at Saint Xavier. He wanted to give back to the program, and we're happy to have his enthusiasm and experience," Dimizas said.

The Cyclones open the season on Sept. 2 at the Earlybird Invitational at Elmhurst College.