Trojans Win 13th-Consecutive Crossroads League Title in Runaway Fashion

Crossroads League Championships Central

MARION, Ind. – The No. 1 Taylor women's cross-country team continued it incredible season, wining its 13th-consecutive Crossroads League Championship in decisive fashion in rainy conditions Friday morning.

The Trojans clocked a team time of 1:47:35.4, the second fastest in program history while placing seven runners in the top 13 finishers. A team score of 25, is the best mark since 2022 when the eventual NAIA National Champion Trojans scored 24 en route to an undefeated season.

Jaynie Halterman led the pack and set a new course record with a time of 20:17.6, over a minute faster than second place. Halterman's individual CL Championship is her second in a row as she sets her sights on repeating as the NAIA Individual Champion.  

Taylor had five of the top ten runners as Noel Bass was next in third. The senior has come on strong this season and her time of 21:32.7 is her top mark this season granting her a third-place finish.

Catey Campbell was the next finisher for TU, crossing the line in fifth. The remarkable freshman set a persona best time by over half a minute at 21:49.7. Sam Patterson finished seventh just under the 22:00 minute mark while Rebekah Firestone eclipsed that mark with her personal-best time of 21:59.8 in ninth.

Joining the five mentioned above as All-Crossroads League runners were Malarie Pinwar and Emersyn Funk, who finished 12th and 13th respectively. Funk's time of 22:17.0 was a personal best by almost 20 seconds. The seven All-CL runners match Taylor's best mark, set in 2018 and matched in 2022.

A total of eight Trojans recorded a personal best time in the race with Marlina Howell (22:48.8), Kennedy Applegate (23:05.7), Elizabeth Erwin (23:23.5), Lauren Saddington (23:24.7), and Addie Draper (23:50.8) joining the trio already mentioned.

As the Crossroads League Champions, No. 1 Taylor (84-6) has secured its spot in the NAIA National Championships in Tallahassee Florida on Friday November 21st at 8:30 am, where the team will attempt to take home its second NAIA National Championship in the past four years.