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2000 Season Outlook The Cedarville University women's cross country team has made it a habit of being among the top NAIA programs in the country. With a preseason ranking No. 17 to go along with seven straight years of being in the Top 25, another strong showing is expected. "The ranking for the women is legitimate, but if they can stay away from injury then we'll improve," assured Elvin King, who has been coaching at Cedarville since 1969. "We have experienced runners in place with a group of talented freshmen joining them. There is depth on this team, a good attitude, and we believe only great things can happen as the season rolls on." Erin Nehus comes in as the leader of the team despite being just a sophomore. She enjoyed an incredible rookie season in which she was the Jackets top runner every time out. Her initial collegiate season ended with an NAIA All-America performance at the national meet by placing 29th out of 234 runners. Nehus became only the fourth women's runner from the school to earn the honor.
"It will be hard to ask Erin to do any more than what she did last year as a freshman," King said. "She is a tough and consistent runner." Sarah Pollock and Corrie Grigorenko are the program's most experienced runners as they begin their fourth seasons at Cedarville. They both ran in the top five last year and will be expected to be near the top again this fall. Sophomores Heidi Wright and Katie Rulapaugh return after running among the team's top seven in 1999. Wright finished the year in the number four position while Rulapaugh, who was an NAIA All-America racewalker in the indoor 3,000 meters, showed consistency throughout the season. The schedule typifies what the runners have faced in recent years. The Tenth Annual Friendship Invitational and the NCCAA Championships highlight the season on the home course. Both meets will be run at John Bryan State Park near Yellow Springs, Ohio. | ||||||
