The Rowan women’s cross country teams finally competed in their long-awaited home Border Battle, two weeks ago.

Out of 30 competing schools, the Profs claimed 24th place in the 6k championship race and 13th place in the 6k open race.

Leading the way in the championship race was Lyndsay Boyd, senior, whose time of 24:50 was good enough to place 102 out of 300 runners in the event. Carley Tool, junior, and Anne Sasse, freshman, finished soon after with times of 25:04.8 and 25:17.3, respectively, securing finishes of 114th and 127th overall. 

As for the open race, Kylie Howard, sophomore, led the way with a solid time of 28:11.2, resulting in a 69th place finish. Howard was followed by Diana Jimenez, junior, in 78th place at the 28:39.6 mark and Elizabeth Flower, freshman, in 92nd place with a time of 29:24.6. 

Madison Edwards, junior, finished in 143rd place with her championship race time of 25:34.1 and found the vivacity of the crowd at DREAM Park in Logan Township to be remarkable. After dealing with silence in the stands for so long, hearing that vocal enthusiasm was certainly a welcome change of pace.

“It was a good race, but it was super hot,” Edwards said. “There were so many people there, and it was definitely the first big-time atmosphere of the year. The girls ran really well, overall.” 

While not quite at their peak just yet, the Profs have demonstrated their potential and abilities time and time again this season, gradually improving along with Head Coach Derick “Ringo” Adamson’s expectations. 

“I thought they ran well,” Coach Adamson said. “As always, we are focused on getting better little by little and preparing for our NJAC [New Jersey Athletic Conference] conference meets.”

With Coach Adamson taking things a bit easier following the Border Battle, his racers will be revved up and ready to go this Saturday at Stockton University for their NJAC Championship meet. Now is the time for runners to break out and for stars to be born.

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