ANDERSON, S.C. - After capturing the league title in its inaugural season in the South Atlantic Conference, the Anderson University women's cross country team will be looking for a repeat performance in late October.
Buoyed by the return of eight letterwinners from last season's record-breaking squad, including SAC Runner of the Year Whitney Bishoff, head coach Randy Greer is expecting to have a bulls-eye on the team as the favorite to win the championship again following last year's title run.
"We will be expecting Whitney [Bishoff] to lead the way," said Greer, last year's SAC Co-Coach of The Year. "But the entire team is talented and we are also bringing in two gifted newcomers."
With Bishoff, the lone senior, and three talented juniors on the roster, the Trojans boast considerable experience on the course, as returning AU runners posted three of the top eight times at last year's SAC title meet.
In addition to Bishoff's stellar performances, Lydia Davis notched notched third at the league championships, earning first team all-conference honors and was named Freshman of the Year, while crossing the finish line just behind Bishoff and another All-American, Katie Grieswich from Lenoir-Rhyne.
Emily Eckroth, one of a trio of juniors on this year's squad, earned second team all-conference accolades following her eighth place finish at the 2010 conference championships.
The Trojans' goal is to earn a trip to the NCAA Championships as a team "which is realistic, if we run the way we need to on the days we need to," added Greer.
Greer noted that additional depth is on the way, with a pair of
talented newcomers slated to arrive next month. Sydney Hazel, a
Summerville, S.C., native who attended Pinewood Prep School and
Amanda Dortch, a T.L. Hanna High School product who is transferring
from Spartanburg Methodist "are both are very good runners and
should be able to come
in and help us right away."
The Trojans start out the 2011 campaign on familiar courses - AU finished seventh at last season's Eye-Opener in Spartanburg, with Bishoff pacing Anderson and finishing strong eighth overall and Davis grabbing the 32nd spot in her first collegiate race.
AU followed up by posting a sixth-place finish at Clemson's Invitational - another event on this year's schedule.
