2007 Miracle Yearbook

r he Lady Jackets Cross Country team started out the year ranked 6th in the NAIA. Beginning what would prove to be an excellent season,the team took first place in the Southeastern Classic at Berea College for the second consecutive year. Later in the AMC Championships,Samantha Maat,Elisabeth Pyles,Lydia Wong,and Audree Goodew all contributed to another 1st place win,securing spots on the ALL-AMC first team after finishing in the top seven. A highlight ofthe year wasthe achievement ofa team goal — winning the NCCAA Cross Country Championships.This particular meet wasthe first to be held at the new Elvin R. King Cross Country Course,named after long-time Cedarville coach, Elvin King,and was made especially memorable by five ofthe ladies running All-American races. Asthe Lady Jacket Cross Country Coach and NCCAA Coach ofthe Year,this was King's 6th title. The women'steam finished 5th in the NAIA women's final cross country rating ofthe season. At the NAIA Nationals, the Lady Jackets came in 2nd place - the highest win since a 1st place finish in 2001. Senior Samantha Maatand juniors Leanne Crunelle and Julie Martz were honored as NAIA All-America Scholar Athletes, while Maat,Pyles,and Santos produced All- America efforts at the race, placing in the top 30finishers. Achieving a successful cross country season was not all this team accomplished.The women also sought to reach out to others at their meets through a water bottle ministry, which included putting together water bottles,gospels ofJohn,and contact information in order to start and maintain relationships with the other teams. Sophomore Brittany Simpson said of the ministry,"It's really good;our chaplain had been telling us we need to have a mix between boldness and sensitivity.I'm not quite as bold,so its definitely made me get outthere and share myfaith!' The team ran strongly and faithfully,striving continually after their motto,"Run For Him:' n Sophomore Elisabeth Pyles says,"I love that our cross country team not only works hard and encourages each other to improve our running and competing,but also to'Run for Him:" n Sophomore Brittany Simpson runs hard at a race.She notes aboutthe team,"Our team chemistry is awesome this year- we're really close:' Remitot reet go*/ se, tt 184 1.,