Patterson and Bass Lead Trojans to First-Place Finish at NAIA Great Lakes Challenge

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – No. 1 Taylor competed in its only 5k race of the season at the NAIA Great Lakes Challenge on Saturday, topping the prestigious field of ten ranked tens and six squads receiving votes in the NAIA Top-25.

Sam Patterson led the Trojans with a time of 17:51.4 followed by Noel Bass at 17:56.3 as the duo finished fifth and sixth. All five Trojans who scored in the maroon race placed in the top 20 as Catey Campbell, Rebekah Firestone, and Emersyn Funk finished tenth, 12th, and 18th respectively.   

TU's low mark of 51 points was almost half of second place, No. 8 Cornerstone, who tallied 99. The team time of 90:21.3 is the sixth-fastest 5k time in program history.

Taylor (75-6) begins postseason competition at the Crossroads League on Friday, November 7, hosted by Indiana Wesleyan, with the women running at 10:00 am.

White Division Race

The Trojans sent an abundance of runners in the white division race, with Addie Draper and Elizabeth Erwin leading the way with top-12 finishes.

Sarah McKowen, Jackie McCoy and Jessie McCoy rounded out the scoring as the team recorded a time of 98:59.6 to place fifth.