DAYTON, Ohio – The University of Dayton women's cross country team finished up its 2015 season, one of growth and success.
"The team followed a very positive progression during the season that set them up well for the track season," said head coach
Sarah Haveman. "Being young, it is important that we establish and execute training in a way that allows for consistent development. We did that very well this season."
Haveman talked about individual leaders this season as well.
"
Emily Leonard did a tremendous job leading our team on and off of the course," Haveman continued. "She sets the tone of what is to be a member of Dayton distance running.
Taylor Vernot backed up Leonard in a way that held her accountable. She was a key component of our success. Finishing All-Conference as a freshman is a great accomplishment.
Grace McDonald and
Emily Borchers are just on the brink of becoming all that they can be. They faced adversity this season and handled it with poise and confidence."
Here are some highlights of the 2015 cross country season.
- Kicked off the season with Rich Davis Flyers 5K Challenge
- Sophomore Emily Leonard won the race with a time of 18:01.6
- Dayton finished 3rd overall with 82 points behind OSU and Ohio
- Leonard named A-10 Co-Performer of the Week after winning the Rich Davis Flyer 5K Challenge
- Friendship Invitational
- Leonard finished first overall with a time of 17:43.8
- Freshman Taylor Vernot was right behind her with a time of 18:18.1 finishing second
- Sophomore Grace McDonald finished sixth with a time of 18:50.8
- Dayton finished second overall with 59 points, behind Milwaukee with 47 points
- Leonard was named A-10 Performer of the Week for the second straight week
- All-Ohio Championship
- Dayton finished third overall with 93 points behind Miami and Ohio University
- Leonard finished second overall with a time of 21:17.85, her third straight Top Two finish
- Vernot finished eighth with a time of 22:01.80
- Bradley Classic
- Finished 15th overall out of 30 teams with 306 points
- Emily Leonard finished eighth with a time of 20:54.6; set a new school record with that time
- All 10 Flyers who ran set personal bests
- Taylor Vernot finished 21st with a time of 21:15.2
- Grace McDonald was just behind her and finished 37th with a time of 21:35.4
- Leonard earned her third A-10 Performer of the Week award on Oct. 20 and Vernot picked up her first A-10 Rookie of the Week award
- A-10 Championships
- Dayton finished ninth overall with 187 points
- Leonard finished eighth overall and led the Flyers with a time of 17:34.1 (PR) – earned All-Conference honors
- Vernot was 10th with a time of 17:38.7 (PR) – earned All-Conference honors, the first freshman to do so in Dayton history
- Leonard and Vernot's performances were good for fourth and fifth-best, respectively, for 5K times in Dayton history
- Six runners achieved new PRs at this race
- NCAA Great Lakes Regional
- Dayton finished 20th overall with 541 points
- Emily Leonard finished 39th overall and led the Flyers with a time of 21:27.9
- Taylor Vernot was 60th overall with a time of 21:55.6
- Notable Overall Season Results
- Nine times in the 2015 season were good enough to place runners in the top 25 all-time in Dayton Flyers history; all times were personal bests for the runners
- Emily Leonard set a new school 6K record at the Bradley Classic with a time of 20:54.6
- Leonard's time of 17:34.1 at the A-10 Championships was also good for fourth all-time in the 5K
- Vernot ended the season 5th all-time on both the 5K and 6K lists
- Vernot was the first freshman to earn All-Conference honors in program history
- Senior Olivia Albers is now 11th all-time for the 6K with her time of 22:11.5
- McDonald's performances this season placed her 8th all-time for the 6K with a time of 21:35.4 and 14th for the 5K after posting a time of 18:17.5
- Freshman Emily Borchers also cracked the top 25 all-time in both the 5K and 6K, with times of 18:41.5 and 22:29.8, to place her 22nd and 15th all-time, respectively.
