NEW ORLEANS, LA. – The Anderson University women's cross country team has been ranked second in the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Division II Southeast Region Poll, announced by the association on Monday (Aug. 29).
"It is nice to see that our women have become a staple within the top three of the regional rankings," said coach Kevin Eagle. "We look to build on previous years finishes as we look to become one of the better teams in the country."
Wingate topped the Southeast Region Poll, after being voted first in the South Atlantic Conference preseason poll on Aug. 17. The Peach Belt Conference had two schools in the top-five in Flagler (No. 3) and North Georgia (No.5). Lenoir-Rhyne finished fourth, while UNC Pembroke leading the way for Conference Carolinas at No.7.
Whitney Hanson and Elise Matthews were named athletes to watch in the conference after an impressive 2021 campaign in which the Trojans clinched a berth in the NCAA National Championships for the third time in program history. Both Hanson and Matthews were named to the USTFCCA All-Region team last season.
Hanson, a senior from Colstrip, MT, excelled in her first season in the black and gold. Hanson ran personal best times in the 5k (17:45) and the 6k (22:02.6) last year.
Matthews, a junior from Piedmont, S.C., also set personal best times in the 5k (18:34) and 6k (23:08.3) last season. Both Hanson and Matthews' 6k times came at the NCAA Division II Southeast Region XC Championships.
"Our women have qualified for the NCAA Championship meet 3 of the last 4 years that the meet has been held," said Eagle. "We are looking to continue this trend each year, but also look to finish higher than we have in the final standings. With only losing one runner who competed at the national meet last year, we have a great squad returning who now has experience on the national stage. We also have a strong class of freshmen coming in who should contribute right away. If all goes to plan, this women's team can be a top 25 team in the NCAA."
The Trojans will get the 2022 season started on September 17th when the team travels to Spartanburg, S.C. for the Converse Kick-Off Classic.
"The Converse meet has become more and more competitive over the last few years as teams look to open their seasons on a fantastic course," said coach Kevin Eagle. "Our goal for this one is to simply get racing legs back under us. This will be the first competition for most since May, so it will play as a rust-buster for us as we compete as quality teams."
