ANDERSON, S.C. - Following a layoff of nearly four weeks, the regionally third-ranked Anderson University women's cross country team is slated to compete in the South Atlantic Conference Championship, which will be hosted by Lincoln Memorial on Saturday, at the Wasioto Winds Golf Course in Pineville, Ky.
This weekend's championship will feature three of the top four ranked teams in the Southeast Region, as two-time defending champion and preseason conference favorite Wingate will be looking for its third overall title. The Bulldogs were ranked second in the most recent U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) DII Southeast Region Rankings.
The Trojans, who were No. 3 in the poll, will also be vying for their third overall conference crown after bringing home the hardware in 2010 and 2011. Anderson was a preseason pick to finish third in the league, behind Queens, which was fourth in the most recent USTFCCCA poll.
Anderson and Queens have squared off in the same event twice this season, with the Royals claiming second in their season-opening Twilight Meet, while AU took third place. The Trojans, Royals and Wingate met four weeks ago at the Bulldog Stampede, with host Wingate taking first place, Anderson claiming second and Queens finishing third.
A trio of Trojan runners posted personal-bests at the Royals Twilight, which covered a distance of 5k, matching Saturday's championship distance. Additionally, four freshmen on the Black and Gold roster notched season-best times in Charlotte.
As a result of winning the Bulldog Stampede, AU sophomore Haylee Love was named SAC AstroTurf Cross Country Runner of the Week in late September. She has paced the Trojans twice this season and slashed more than a minute off her previous personal-best time to win the event and will be looking to improve on her stellar performance from last year's SAC Championship, when the Lexington, S.C., native, finished eighth overall and captured SAC Freshman of the Year honors.
Olivia Gardner led the Trojans at Furman and claimed 15th at the
Bulldog Stampede. The Tarpon Springs, Fla., native earned
Second-Team All-Conference accolades by finishing 14th at last
year's SAC Championship. Sophomore Alex Dixon finished in 16th
place at the Bulldog Stampede and finished strong last season by
earning Second-Team all-conference and SAC All-Freshman Team
accolades. Freshman Martha Coleman claimed 27th place at Wingate,
with fellow newcomer Abigail Bozarth finishing 36th and Grace
Gerlock taking 53rd place.
Junior Mia Swiersz finished 72nd, while junior Amber Worthy and
freshman Maddie Buddenberg placed 87th and 89th, respectively.
Sophomore Allison Halperin crossed the line in 104th and junior
Bari Robinson finished 138th.
