Aug. 25, 2015
As the Vanderbilt women’s cross country team heads into the 2015 campaign, this much is abundantly clear: The Commodores are no longer flying below the radar.
After winning the program’s first-ever NCAA South Region title last fall and qualifying for the national championship for the fourth straight year, the Commodores enter this season with a No. 24 ranking in the Saucony Flo50. For link, click HERE.
“It’s great to see that the hard work the women have put in over the last 4-5 seasons is being recognized,” said head coach Steve Keith.
The Commodores, who open the season with the Belmont Opener on Sept. 5, will carry plenty of momentum into the fall schedule.
Last season, Vanderbilt earned a second-place finish at the SEC Championships — which marked the second-highest finish in program history, ranking behind only the 2011 SEC Champion team — and then knocked off four-time defending region champion Florida State to win the South Region title.
Those accomplishments have enabled the Commodores to create plenty of preseason buzz.
“It’s always nice to be recognized early in the season,” said associate head coach Rhonda Riley, “but now it’s a matter of training smart, remaining healthy, and putting it all together on race day.”
Vanderbilt enters the season with a host of experienced runners, including successful seniors Sara Barron, Katherine Delaney and Vanessa Valentine, along with junior Carmen Carlos. The team also features a host of talented newcomers who are expected to help the team continue their recent run of success.
“Winning the Region meet last year has set the bar high four our team,” said Keith, “but I know our women are up for the challenge.”
