Hopes are high for the 2008 Community Colleges of Spokane women’s cross country team. With several returning sophomores and a solid group of incoming freshmen, the squad is poised to defend their back to back Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges titles from 2006 and 2007. 

The core of the 2008 team is centered upon the sophomores.   The team returns four All-American runners from the championship team of 2007. Defending NWAACC Champion Brittnee Sanchez (Grandview) will return for one more cross season for the Sasquatch. She is closely followed by the third place finisher from a year ago, Karen Owens (University). Owens was also the 2008 NWAACC Steeplechase Champion in track. Amy Durrance (Lakeside) , fifth a year ago in cross, returns to help lead the team to the title in 2008. Durrance was an All-American in the 5000 in track. Katie Owens (University) rounds out the all star returnee’s for the Sasquatch after placing sixth overall in 2007. Katie followed that up with an All-American finish in the 10000 meter race in track. Other returnee’s to watch are Alli Price (Mead) who much improved over a year ago and Robyn Swanson (Central Valley). 

The recruiting class is led by Katie Evans (Lewis & Clark). Evans, who did not run competitive cross country or track in high school, looks to vie for varsity this Fall. Transfer Rachel Fridye (Alaska-Fairbanks) will also vie for top seven in 2008. True freshmen Melissa Sweeney (Riverside), Becky Harris (Ferris) and Armarose Bailey (Mead) give much needed depth to the squad.