Women’s Cross Country 2015 Recap

With the women’s cross country 2015 season all wrapped up, MBU Timeline gets the coach’s and runners’ feelings about how the season went and forecasts for the upcoming track season.

The women’s cross country season finished up on Saturday, Nov. 21, when senior Kaitlyn Winter crossed the finish line at the NAIA National Championship meet.

“I was really excited to qualify for nationals … plus, I love traveling so I was excited that qualifying for nationals allowed me to do that,” Winter said.

While Winter was the only female qualifier for the national meet, the team as a whole had a strong season with many Lady Spartans setting new personal records.

“Total we had eight of our 12 athletes PR,” said Katie Cline, head coach of the women’s cross country team, meaning eight runners set personal bests.

Along with the national qualifier and personal records, the Missouri Baptist University team also had freshmen, Rebecca Starrett, named American Midwest Conference Freshman of the Year.

Starrett is honored and humbled to be chosen for such an award.

“Being named Freshman of the Year is such a humbling experience. I wasn’t expecting that at all and to think I was the top freshman just showed me God’s goodness and faithfulness,” said Starrett.

Cline is also excited about all the success the team has had this season, especially since the team is young.

“We had a very young team, three freshmen, two sophomores, and one senior.” Cline said.

The cross country team has already started gearing up for the upcoming indoor and outdoor track and field seasons.

Starrett is also ready for this new challenge as a collegiate runner.

“Going into track, I am very excited,” she said.

Melanie Laurence, a sophomore on the cross country team, is also happy to be ending one season and beginning another.

“I’m looking forward to the track season, I’m ready for a fresh start,” said Laurance.

However, the track season will not officially begin until Jan 23, 2016, so the runners have plenty of time to get ready to go fast.

For a complete list of meet recaps, visit the MBU Athletics women’s cross country page.