2008 Season Review
The 2008 cross country season for the Trojans was a successful one, but also one with disappointments. Ranked 19th in the pre-season NAIA poll, the team was shooting for a berth at the NAIA National meet, but would come up just short.
The club began their season at Purdue where they faced off against five NCAA Div. I schools. This earlier than normal outing gave the Trojans a good jumping off point for what was to come down the road.
The following week the Trojans hosted the first annual Ray Bullock Invitational on their home course. Running without the services of Isaac Bryan, TU took second place in the six-team affair.
One week later the Trojans had their first strong performance of the season at the Indiana Intercollegiate Championships where they placed sixth in the 15-team meet. Michael Pabody and Isaac Bryan each earned All-State honors by placing 8th and 10th respectively.
The results from their first three meets propelled the team into the 23rd spot in the NAIA poll, their highest ranking of the regular season.
After a week off from racing, the Trojans headed to Indiana Wesleyan where they produced their best race in seven years. Led by Pabody's victory in 25:31, TU posted a team time of 2:11:55, their fastest in the past nine years. Tom Robertson placed 3rd in 25:51, Isaac Bryan and Jeff Hubley ran identical 26:44s, and Braxton Fritz crossed in 27:12 as the Trojans were just edged out by host IWU, 28-34.
Taylor's next trip was to Kenosha, Wisconsin for the Lucian Rosa Invitational. The team placed 7th in the 28-team event, but it was not the outcome they were hoping to achieve as they faced several teams out of their region for the first time.
Late October found the Trojans at the Great Lakes Invitational in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Trojans had another outstanding day as they placed 9th in the 21-team meet which featured eight schools ranked in the NAIA Top 20. The club set a new seasonal best at 2:11:52 and were led by Pabody, who finished 7th in the 228-runner field.
The crux of the season was the Mid-Central Conference championships, where the winner would automatically qualify for the NAIA National meet. The Trojans were well prepared for the race both physically and mentally as was evident as they again set a team best with a time of 2:11:33, placing third. Michael Pabody again topped the team, this time with a runner-up finish which earned him All-MCC honors and secured an individual qualifying position for Nationals. Joining Pabody on the All-MCC team was Tom Roberston who placed 7th and also grabbed a spot at Nationals.
The final meet of the season as a team was the National Christian College championships contested at Cedarville University. On a wet, windy, cold, day the Trojans had a great conclusion to the season as they took 4th place in the 18-team affair. In what may have been Pabody's best race of the season, he made a move at the 3-mile mark and left the field in his wake to claim the NCCAA individual crown in 25:38.26. Robertson again joined him on the podium with an All-NCCAA 10th place finish.
Pabody and Robertson returned to the Wisconsin-Parkside course for a second season in a row and were motivated by thoughts of last year's less than acceptable outcome.
Both men were well positioned at the mile mark, and then each moved up 10-15 spots during a torrid second mile. At the 3-mile mark both were on schedule and held on to their positions over the final 2 miles. Pabody finishing 31st in 25:18.7, just one spot from an All-American spot, while Robertson crossed the line in 78th at 25:52.8, a full 100 spots in front of his 2007 race.
This was a season in which many goals were surpassed and though falling just short of their ultimate goal, the team realized their success. Ten Trojans set personal bests, and the eight returning lettermen are setting big goals for the 2009 season.
Head coach Ted Bowers echoed their thoughts, "This is simply the best season TU has had in nine years. Looking at our team times, our placing at major meets, and how we stack up against some of the best the NAIA has to offer, we know that we can continue to build this program. Probably the brightest light is the fellowship that has developed this season. These men have truly grown as brothers in Christ and in their own spiritual development."
Seniors Braxton Fritz and Christian Leman have provided great leadership for the Jarheads for the past two seasons, and will be sorely missed in the locker room and on the course.