Caitlin Vukorpa | Echo
Women's cross country earned its highest ranking in Taylor history Wednesday as the Trojans jumped to No. 15 in the first NAIA Top 25 Poll of the regular season.
"We are ready to go to nationals," said head coach Quinn White, "and we believe that this team can do it."
With a total of 161 points, the Trojans began the 2013 season ranked No. 22 in the NAIA Preseason Poll released on Aug. 28. Other Crossroads teams joining Taylor atop the polls were Huntington University ranked at No.18 and Indiana Wesleyan also receiving votes, giving the Crossroads League multiple national representations.
The Trojans got off to a mind-blowing start when freshman Hannah Schroder placed first among 125 competitors in the Trojans' opening meet, the Olivet Nazarene Midwest Classic on Sept. 6.
The meet included multiple nationally-ranked teams, led by No. 3 Olivet Nazarene. With a time of 18:52.12, Schroder helped the Trojans place second overall.
Schroder wasn't alone in the top 10, as junior Elaine Schmeltz placed seventh with a time of 19:17.70 and freshman Anna Meyer finished 10th with a time of 19:25.83. Overall, the Trojans ended with seven top-20 placements, as juniors Jenna Norris (13th) Allison Steinbeck (14th), freshman Kerigan Riley (16th) and sophomore Sarina Oleson (20th) added to the Trojans' success.
Schroder's time of 18:52.12 is the 12th-fastest in program history, while the team time of 96:51.93 is now the sixth-best team total in the Trojan record books.
"We have had a great start to the season," White said. "Being ranked 15th is something to celebrate. However, there is one word we are focusing on this year-finish. We will allow this ranking to serve as a foundation, but it is about performing well through the end. The goal is not to get to nationals, it is to perform well at nationals."
This performance proved to be key, helping the Trojans earn their No. 15 ranking. Previously, the team's highest ranking was No. 17. The team now looks to move forward, preparing for a chance to perform on the national stage.
"We have purposely scheduled tough courses," White said. "We want an opportunity to compete at the highest level. Every practice, every course, it's all to prepare us for the end."
Feature Photograph by Timothy P. Riethmiller
