Alone at the top
By Brett Hebel
[email protected]
“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team,” Hall of Fame NBA coach, Phil Jackson famously stated.
That quote could not ring anymore true for the Madonna University women’s cross-country team, as they now enter another exciting season, this year, ranked No.1 in the 2019 NAIA Women’s Cross-Country Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 Poll. This officially marks the first time in the university’s history, this team of young women have achieved this outstanding honor.
The team consists on 17young women runners, including three seniors, as well as, six of the seven runners who competed in the NAIA Cross-Country National Championships, returning and ready to have yet another historic season. All coached by the Madonna University well-known, Patrick Daugherty, who has coached the team since 2005 and received multiple coaching awards along the way.
"We are proud of the ranking, but they do not hand out trophies for preseason polls," said Daugherty.
After a second-place finish last season at the championships, the team is determined to take that final step and become national champions.
One of the team's three seniors, Alison Shapic, general biology major, was very excited to see her and the team ranked first in the polls, but she also understands that at the end of the day, it is simply just a ranking.
Shapic finished last season with multiple honors, including WHAC Champion, WHAC Runner of the Week, All-Academic Team, All-Conference - First Team, Champions of Character Team, NAIA All-American, and last but certainly not least, NAIA National Runner Up.
“It is very exciting to be ranked No. 1 for the preseason poll, as it feels like the team's hard work and dedication is paying off. However, it is something that our team is collectively choosing to "put on the back burner," until nationals, in mid-November,” explained Shapic.
Obviously, being ranked #1 in the preseason polls, the expectations are high, and the upcoming season should be nothing short of thrilling and head turning. One runner, who made a large impact in just her sophomore season, is determined to return even better than before and make this season the best to date for not only herself, but as a team.
Christina Murphy, a junior, majoring in nursing, finished last season as a WHAC Champion, WHAC Runner of the Week, All-Conference - First Team, NAIA All-American, as well as, NAIA National Runner Up.
“As far as this season, one goal for myself is to do my best to stay injury free. For the team, as a whole, I just hope we can do our best and run our fastest when it matters most. I love my team and I am excited for the season ahead,” mentioned Murphy.
As for senior leader Shapic, she hopes that her and the team can have the best season yet and go out with a bang for her final season. However, being an upperclassman, Shapic preaches being someone that her younger teammates can look up and learn from as well.
“Going into my senior year I am trying my best to lead by example and teach my new teammates how important teamwork, friendship, and mental toughness is to cross country. I have some lofty, yet attainable goals set for this season and am excited to continue working hard and smart to have a great senior year. This team is my family, and I want to be a motivator for everyone to work hard and enjoy running,” stated Shapic.
With the season on the horizon, the team continues to train and practice day in and day out, as each and every one of them are determined to live up to the outstanding honor they have been given going into the upcoming season. Their season officially began Sept. 7.
Stay tuned to MUCrusaders.com for more information and breaking news about the team and their season.
P
[email protected]
“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team,” Hall of Fame NBA coach, Phil Jackson famously stated.
That quote could not ring anymore true for the Madonna University women’s cross-country team, as they now enter another exciting season, this year, ranked No.1 in the 2019 NAIA Women’s Cross-Country Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 Poll. This officially marks the first time in the university’s history, this team of young women have achieved this outstanding honor.
The team consists on 17young women runners, including three seniors, as well as, six of the seven runners who competed in the NAIA Cross-Country National Championships, returning and ready to have yet another historic season. All coached by the Madonna University well-known, Patrick Daugherty, who has coached the team since 2005 and received multiple coaching awards along the way.
"We are proud of the ranking, but they do not hand out trophies for preseason polls," said Daugherty.
After a second-place finish last season at the championships, the team is determined to take that final step and become national champions.
One of the team's three seniors, Alison Shapic, general biology major, was very excited to see her and the team ranked first in the polls, but she also understands that at the end of the day, it is simply just a ranking.
Shapic finished last season with multiple honors, including WHAC Champion, WHAC Runner of the Week, All-Academic Team, All-Conference - First Team, Champions of Character Team, NAIA All-American, and last but certainly not least, NAIA National Runner Up.
“It is very exciting to be ranked No. 1 for the preseason poll, as it feels like the team's hard work and dedication is paying off. However, it is something that our team is collectively choosing to "put on the back burner," until nationals, in mid-November,” explained Shapic.
Obviously, being ranked #1 in the preseason polls, the expectations are high, and the upcoming season should be nothing short of thrilling and head turning. One runner, who made a large impact in just her sophomore season, is determined to return even better than before and make this season the best to date for not only herself, but as a team.
Christina Murphy, a junior, majoring in nursing, finished last season as a WHAC Champion, WHAC Runner of the Week, All-Conference - First Team, NAIA All-American, as well as, NAIA National Runner Up.
“As far as this season, one goal for myself is to do my best to stay injury free. For the team, as a whole, I just hope we can do our best and run our fastest when it matters most. I love my team and I am excited for the season ahead,” mentioned Murphy.
As for senior leader Shapic, she hopes that her and the team can have the best season yet and go out with a bang for her final season. However, being an upperclassman, Shapic preaches being someone that her younger teammates can look up and learn from as well.
“Going into my senior year I am trying my best to lead by example and teach my new teammates how important teamwork, friendship, and mental toughness is to cross country. I have some lofty, yet attainable goals set for this season and am excited to continue working hard and smart to have a great senior year. This team is my family, and I want to be a motivator for everyone to work hard and enjoy running,” stated Shapic.
With the season on the horizon, the team continues to train and practice day in and day out, as each and every one of them are determined to live up to the outstanding honor they have been given going into the upcoming season. Their season officially began Sept. 7.
Stay tuned to MUCrusaders.com for more information and breaking news about the team and their season.
P