Trojan Women Maintain No. 1 Ranking in NAIA Top-25 Poll

NAIA Release

UPLAND, Ind. – The Taylor women's cross-country team was voted the No. 1 team in the NAIA in the season's first Top-25 poll on Thursday afternoon.

The Trojans have competed twice and recorded two dominant wins thus far in 2023. TU has already defeated No. 4 Saint Francis (Ill.), No. 9 Indiana Wesleyan, No. 11 Huntington, No. 16 Grace, No. 20 Indiana Tech, and No. 24 Goshen in the young season. 

Mollie Gamble, Audrey Brinkruff, and Noel VanderWall have been the top three finishers in each race, with Gamble and Brinkruff each picking up a Crossroads League Runner-of-the-Week award. 

Kaitlin Burden has been just behind the trio, with two top-five finishes to begin her sophomore season. Ahna Neideck, Lynae Ackley, and Madelyn Borchelt each have a top-ten finish to their name, showing the tremendous depth in talent in the TU squad. 

The new 6k distance has not fazed the preseason favorite, as they have put up two minuscule scores of 19 and 20 in the two meets, while no competitor has scored lower than 55. 

The Trojans continue the season on Saturday, September 30, at the Louisville Cross Country Classic, with the race set to commence at 11:30 am.