Posted: Aug 31, 2015
BEREA, Ohio – There is an air of excitement running through the streets on the campus of Baldwin Wallace University as the women's cross country teams begin a new era under the direction of first-year Head Coach Joe Eby. He replaced Dr. William Taraschke, who retired in May of 2015 after 30 years of service to the University.
The team has bought into the new system and are training hard," commented Eby. "I am excited to see what we will do this season especially at the Ohio Athletic Conference Championships as well as in the region. Our goals are to improve each and every day in order to be ready to run our best by championship season."
A year ago, the Yellow Jacket women finished ninth at the OAC Championships Meet, 15th at the All-Ohio Championships and 29th at the Great Lakes Regional Championships.
Sophomore Maeve Christie (Lakewood) returns as the top runner in 2015 on a squad of four returners and four newcomers. As a freshman, Christie led the team in the three biggest races to close out the 2014 campaign.
In addition to Christie, the team returners veteran runners in senior Lauren Fredriksen (Hamburg, N.Y.), junior Alivia Stephan (Carey) and sophomore Bailee D'Amore (McDonald) all ran last year at the OAC Championships and Great Lakes Regional.
In addition to Christie, the team returners veteran runners in senior Lauren Fredriksen (Hamburg, N.Y.), junior Alivia Stephan (Carey) and sophomore Bailee D'Amore (McDonald) all ran last year at the OAC Championships and Great Lakes Regional.
Sophomore Hannah Kiraly (Lakewood), who transferred to BW this fall from Cuyahoga Community College, and freshmen Kelly Brennan (Akron/Walsh Jesuit), Hannah Fredriksen (Hamburg, N.Y.) and Alexis Hercenberg (Johnstown/Johnstown-Monroe) look to leave a footprint on the region this fall.
"Maeve returns as our top veteran while Kelly will make an immediate impact this fall," stated Eby. "Both are very talented runners. They have done a great job leading this team during preseason and I hope that will continue for the rest of the season and for their careers here at BW."
The Yellow Jackets open the 2015 season on Tuesday, September 1 when they travel to Wooster to compete at the annual College of Wooster Invitational. The All-Ohio Division III Championships will be contested on Friday, October 2 at Cedarville University. BW hosts the OAC Championships on Saturday, October 31 at Wallace Lake in the Cleveland Metroparks.
