Trojan Women Start Season as Top-Ranked NAIA Squad

NAIA Preseason Top-25

UPLAND, Ind. – The Taylor women's cross-country team begins the 2025 season as the top ranked team in the Preseason NAIA Coaches Top-25 Poll.

The Trojans were agonizingly one point short of the NAIA National Title a season ago and return the NAIA Individual Champion in Jaynie Halterman.

Halterman blazed a trail during her debut season, setting the NAIA National Championship record at a blistering 20:24.7. Halterman will look to repeat and help TU gain one spot to take home the NAIA National Championship.

Noel VanderWall, a three-time NAIA All-American also returns for the Trojans, along with Sam Patterson and Kaitlin Burden, who each finished inside the top-50 at the NAIA National Championship. Malarie Pinwar, Kennedy Applegate, and Catey Campbell headline the Trojans looking to join the top-seven in an ultra-competitive squad.

Three other Crossroads League members were in the rankings, led by No. 6 Marian and followed by No. 7 Grace, No. 11 Indiana Wesleyan, with Saint Francis, Mount Vernon Nazarene and Huntington each receiving votes.  

The Trojans begin the season on Friday, September 5, at the Indiana Wesleyan Twilight Invitational at 6:00 pm.