2007 Season Preview

The Lady Trojans approach the 2007 season with a strong set of returning athletes and an influx of new talent giving TU more depth in a variety of areas.

At the top of any list is Taylor's most decorated female runner, Lolly York. York, a two-time NAIA Cross-Country All-American, returns for her final season in purple and is aimed toward adding another notch on her belt. York scored in the outdoor 5K in 2006, but just missed the AA honor. She will again focus on the 5K and 10K where she has been a dominant force for the past two seasons.

York, one of only two seniors on the roster, will be joined by juniors Elise Knapp, Amy Brown and Becky Hegelein in the distance events.

In the sprinter/hurdler/jumper group juniors Vanessa Fereshetian and Kelsey Randall lead the way. Both women have tremendous versatility as Fereshetian competes in both hurdle events and both jumps, while Randall runs the short hurdles, both short sprints and both jumps.

Randall is the defending MCC triple jump champion with her sights set on a trip to NAIA Nationals. Sophomore Hannah Tabb is returning to full health following a difficult frosh season and will certainly provide a spark in the long sprints. Fellow soph Brianna Nystrom tops the high jump crew.

Junior Deborah Best brings power to the throws, where the Lady Trojans are a little thin depth wise. Best continues to focus on the shot and hammer, her specialties. Best is joined by freshmen Lauren Wickson and Alyssa Hartman who throws the discus as well as competes in middle distance races.

For the Lady Trojans to experience continued success, the freshmen members of the squad must step up. This class offers help in nearly every event which will prove critical come conference time.

Tabitha Bogue, Alyssa Johnson, Hilary Pederson, and Alyssa Hartman hold great potential to score in the distance races. While Bogue, Hartman, and Johnson prefer the middle distance races, Pederson is actually shooting for a berth in the NAIA marathon.

In the sprint/jumps group, Andrea Elsman will bolster both the triple jump and pole vault events. Shawna Lane also vaults along with senior newcomer Amanda Jackson. The team will look to Lizzy Hawn for support in the short sprints.

The Lady Trojans continue to build a program that has finished third in the conference race the past two years with an eye towards moving up. Certainly they possess the talents and determination to do so.