WICHITA, Kan. – The Friends University Men's and Women's Cross Country Falcons will embark on a new era for the 2025 season as new head coach Tracy Jex has officially taken the reins of both programs.
Jex arrives at Friends after serving as an assistant cross country/track and field coach at fellow KCAC member McPherson College for the past three years.
While at McPherson, Jex enjoyed immense success and coached 10 National Qualifiers and one All-America performer.
"I'm really excited for this year," said Jex. "Both the men's and women's teams should be very competitive in the conference. We will need to focus on doing our best every day and working hard. If we do those things we will be successful this year."
Heading into his first season at the helm, Jex will welcome back top returners Briac Ybanez, Jace Douglas and Graham Bales on the men's side, while Hailey Roberson, Rebekah Choriego, Grace Lee and Hannah Cribley make up the key returners on the women's team.
Each returner gained valuable experience at last season's KCAC Championship meet, with Ybanez posting a team-best 29th place result for the Falcon Men and Roberson leading the Falcon Women with a 40th place finish.
"We have a lot of talent on both teams," said Jex. "Briac will lead the men's squad after just missing out on a trip to nationals last year, which should make him more determined and ready to compete this year. Jace, Graham, and Alex Ayin are other returners who will help lead our men's program. Coach (Henry) Brun and Coach McKenna (Laing) were able to recruit some new athletes to join us who should be able to contribute immediately."
Those newcomers that Jex mentioned are highlighted by Preston Landman (Rockwall-Heath HS, Mike Rodriguez-Quintana (Killeen Ellison HS), Sam Wright (Mesa Ridge HS) and Josh Robertson (East Central University) for the men's squad. Robertson is a senior transfer that Jex anticipates adding depth to the team.
"On the women's side, they will be led by four returning student athletes, all of whom will be looking to improve a lot," noted Jex. "Hailey is our top women's returner and will be looking to improve her time and place and be a factor at the conference level. Grace, Hannah, and Rebekah are other veterans who will help lead our women's program.
Coach Brun and Coach McKenna were also able to add some solid new additions to our women's team that will look to make a significant impact. Lexi Patterson and Janaya Devorce are two talented freshmen who should be able to contribute right away. Both are multi-time state qualifiers from Kansas."
The Cross Country Falcons will begin the new campaign at the Sunset Spire Showdown on Aug. 29 in Leavenworth, Kan. before competing at the JK Gold Classic on Sept. 6 in Wichita. The 2025 KCAC Championship meet will also take place in Leavenworth, Kan. on Nov. 8.
