By Grace Long, Staff Writer
In her first race for Newman University, graduate transfer Katie Hughes finished second place at the JK Gold Classic on Sept. 5, earning her the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week Award.
Hughes ran the women’s 5K in 17:41 at Wichita State’s Clapp Cross Country Course. She was the highest-placing NCAA Division II runner in the race and recorded the highest individual finish by a Newman women’s cross country runner since 2023.
“I feel like I did Newman proud,” Hughes said.
Hughes came to Newman this year after competing at Saint Mary’s University in England then Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado. At Adams State, she was a member of the 2024 NCAA Division II national championship team and earned All-Region honors in cross county.
Before attending Newman, Hughes worked full time in recruitment in London for a year. She eventually decided to leave her job and move to Wichita to continue her running career.
“I realized I had eligibility…so I decided to pack up my flat and move out here,” Hughes said.
Hughes connected with Newman cross country head coach Amber McVicar after visiting Wichita and liking the area. McVicar said that Hughes’ dedication to running stood out during the recruiting process. Even while taking a gap year to work in London, Hughes continued training and maintaining her fitness.
“She is a great role model for the rest of the squad,” McVicar said, citing Hughes’ experience competing in both England and the United States for many years.
That experience was evident in Hughes’ first race for Newman.
McVicar and Hughes had talked through a plan to start the race at a slower pace before increasing the speed after the first mile. About 1,000 meters into the race, Hughes mouthed to McVicar that the pace felt too slow. McVicar told her to wait until the first mile because of the heat. Once Hughes reached the mile and was still feeling strong, McVicar told her to “take off.”
“We executed the plan perfectly,” Hughes said.
The race also gave Hughes confidence heading into the rest of the season.
“It’s always a good feeling to win a race or be the fastest in your category, and it’s a big confidence boost going into the rest of the season, especially knowing I have a lot more fitness to come, " Hughes said.
Hughes has also made an impact on the team outside of competition. McVicar described her as a “quiet leader” who leads by example.
Hughes said she has enjoyed the team atmosphere since arriving at Newman.
“Everyone is so friendly and welcoming, and it’s a really positive environment,” Hughes said. “Everyone is genuinely so supportive of each other, and we have a lot of laughs (while) getting some really hard training in.”
Hughes said she runs between 50 and 60 miles a week, incorporating workouts, tempo runs, easy runs, and strength training. Her individual goal for the season is to qualify for the NCAA Division II National Championships.
She also hopes to help the Newman women’s team improve its placement throughout the postseason.
Hughes and the rest of the women’s cross country team will compete next at the Augustana Invitational on Friday in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
“I’m focusing on one race at a time at the moment and trying to make the most out of every workout each week,” Hughes said.
PHOTO: Newman Athletics, Courtesy
