New Orleans- For the second consecutive season, the Nicholls State University women’s cross country team finds itself with a regional ranking. The Colonels, who finished the 2009 season ranked twelfth in the South Central Regional poll, will enter the 2010 campaign ranked thirteenth as the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association released its 2010 preseason regional polls on Monday morning.However, the Colonels will continue to have their work cut out for them in 2010 as Nicholls enters the year as one of six Southland Conference schools ranked in the South Central region by the USTFCCCA.
Once again, the Southland continues to live up to the billing as home to some of the best distance programs in the region as Stephen F. Austin, Texas A&M – Corpus Christi, Texas-Arlington, Lamar and McNeese State all begin the year ranked ahead of the Colonels in the region.
Nicholls is led by a strong senior class headlined by Lauren Jones who, last season, became the first Nicholls cross country runner to earn All-Southland Conference honors. Kadi Whisnant will look to translate her 2009 conference dominance in the 3K steeplechase into greater success on the cross-country course.
A strong crop of new distance runners also bolsters the Colonels. Distance runner Emily Charlesworth comes to Thibodaux all the way from Quathiaski Cove, British Columbia, Canada. Charlesworth established herself as one of the top distance runners in her province, turning in a runner-up performance at the British Columbia Under-19 Championships this spring.
Jaclyn White joins the Colonel distance crew after turning in a stellar high school career at Springstead High School in Weeki Wachi, Fla. White is projected to be a cross country runner and 800 m specialist on the track for the Colonels.
Closer to home, Baton Rouge native Sarah Pressley comes to Thibodaux after coming on strong late in her senior year at Archbishop Runnels High School. Pressley boasts a second place time of 11:46 in the 3200 at the state championships as a senior.
The Colonels will open the 2010 season this Friday at the McNeese Relay. The Lake Charles meet will be Nicholls’ first opportunity to line up against and possibly pass several of their regional rivals.
