The Taylor cross-country team placed second at the Crossroads League Championships, with three competitors placing in the top 11.
Junior Nathan Burns paced the Trojans with a time of 24:42.4, earning seventh place. He was followed closely behind by senior Ryan Hanak, who ran an eighth place time of 24:42.6. In eleventh place was senior Luke Harber with a time of 24:52.6.
In the rainy conditions, two Taylor runners set personal records, as senior Paul Gabrielsen ran a time of 25:54.2 and freshman Aidan Ortiz clocked in at 29:18.5.
Ranked No. 4 in the NAIA, the Jarheads went into the race with confidence. Their second-place finish was enough to propel them into the NAIA Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, on Friday, Nov. 21.
The success of the Jarheads was not a surprise to head coach Quinn White.
“We prepare for the championship phase of the season all season long. Nearly everything we do is to help set us up for success,” said White. “We get stronger through our challenges, and we look for positives in every experience. A key is to use the tools we have gathered all season long to help set us up for a competitive championship phase.”
In August, White announced that this would be his final season serving as Taylor’s cross-country and track coach. In his 16 years, Taylor has experienced immense success, winning the only two team NAIA national titles in Taylor's history. The men’s team won in 2020 and the women followed suit in 2022, bringing their first title home to Upland.
With it being his final season at the helm, the team has done its best to dedicate its success to its beloved coach.
“The Jarheads are thankful for Coach Q and all he's done for this program,” said senior Joel Mumaw. “We will miss him once this season ends, but we are savoring these last couple weeks with him. He means a lot to so many of us.”
Going into the CL Championships, Mumaw’s personal best time was 25:04.6, which he ran at the IWU Invite. Mumaw is a four-year member of the team and knew this one had a chance to be special.
He recalled a time at practice this year where he was running with some fellow team members. When he realized the unusually fast pace they were running, he understood the team’s potential for the first time.
At the CL Championships, Mumaw set out to “catch as many IWU Wildcats as I can.” He succeeded, finishing 21st and holding off many of the rival Wildcat runners.
Even in the midst of all the on-course competition, Taylor is a team deeply rooted in their faith and teamwork. Sophomore Noah Kelly has been sidelined for the year due to injury, but acknowledged the importance of the team culture.
“Our eyes all focus on the same prize, the national championship,” said Kelly.
Off the course, Kelly credited the team’s small groups, prayer meetings and accountability sessions as vital to their success.
Culture is something that Coach White has worked hard to instill in the team, drawing them together as a family.
“Culture is an absolute key for us,” White said. “By having like-minded athletes, one in spirit and purpose, we grow closer through every success and challenge.”
As the NAIA Championships approach, the No. 4 Jarheads will look to build on the success of this season, trusting one another and lifting each other.
