CEDARVILLE, Ohio - The Cedarville University women's cross country program has grown accustomed to being one of the elite programs in the NAIA especially following three consecutive national runner-up finishes. The #2 Lady Jackets open the season Friday at the Shawnee State Invitational.
Despite the graduation of five seniors, three of which were All-Americans, the Lady Jackets are right back to their customary spot in the pre-season ratings. The only school they trail is ten-time national champion Simon Fraser (B.C.).
"It will be exciting to find out what happens in each race with this young team," stated head coach Elvin King. "Last year, we had such a veteran group that they lived up to every expectation.
"This team is similar in its dedication and it has good leadership. However, we won't really know where we are until we see a couple of races."
[LISTEN to head coach Elvin King preview the season on Yellow Jacket Insider]
Thirteen of the 14 athletes on the roster are either freshmen or sophomores. Only two-time All-American and senior Lydia Wong is the lone upperclassmen.
Wong is easily the top returner. She is a three-time NCCAA All-American and a three-time All-American Mideast Conference performer. Wong shined on the track as well earning NAIA All-America honors in the indoor mile and she was the national runner-up in the outdoor 1,500.
"Lydia has developed into a leader," remarked King, who is the only head coach in the history of the Lady Jacket program. "She is the most experienced member of the team and will be counted on to set the example for the others."
Sophomores Rachel Wong and Carolyn Cann are the only other returning varsity runners. Wong was an NCCAA All-American and an All-AMC Second Team performer. She was also the NAIA runner-up in the indoor 1,000 meters. Cann appeared in seven varsity meets and was the NCCAA indoor champion on the track in the 800.
Jennifer Hollander and Sarah Stevens are the other two sophomores. Hollander saw action on the junior varsity squad and both athletes competed on the track team.
The incoming freshmen class consisting of nine athletes is arguably the best in school history. Four-time All-Ohio runner Katie Gillespie was the state Division II champion as a senior. Her classmate at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, Carolyn Case, was a three-time All-Ohio performer. Neola Putnam was the Washington Class B state champion last fall.
King reiterated his cautious optimism by saying, "We won't truly know what the freshmen can do until they get a couple meets in, but we're confident they'll make a key contribution."
Eight meets are on the schedule with three of them at the King Cross Country Course. The 19th Annual Friendship Invitational will be on Sept. 19. The AMC Championship comes to town on Nov. 7 with the NCCAA Championship returning one week later on Nov. 14.