AU men's cross-country has sights on nationals; Mackenzie Taylor eyes a second PBC crown
By Chris Rickerson | Sports writer
After a late start to the 2020 season, Augusta University men’s and women’s cross-country will be starting their 2021 fall seasons on time here in the coming weeks.
AU men’s cross country is coming off another successful season. The Jaguars won back-to-back Peach Belt Conference titles. The women’s team also had some success and finished fourth in the PBC championship last season with Mackenzie Taylor winning in the individual crown.
“I am extremely proud of what they been able to accomplish”, said AU cross country coach Adam Ward. “What these young men and women have accomplished each year with the limited funds, resources, and lack of facilities at this university is tremendous. I don’t think they get enough credit.”
The men’s team is led by seniors Chandler Kennedy and Chase Kennedy (from Maysville) and juniors Kai Brickey (Suwanee), Hans Troyer (Newnan) and Carlos Rodriguez (Grovetown).
“I’m excited to compete again this season,” said Rodriguez. “Last year we were delayed, so it’ll feel good to start on time and go after the third straight PBC Championship.”
It may be a tougher path for the men, as they have lost some seniors from last year. Jacob Poston and Hunter Kimball were some of top runners last season for the Jaguars, and they will not be back.
Poston was PBC co-runner of the year last season and Kimball was on the all-conference team.
“Those two guys have helped us bring this program to where it is today,” said Ward. “I think we have guys that will step up and do big things.”
The women’s team is led by senior Miranda Taylor, junior Mackenzie Taylor and a lot of young talent with them.
Mackenzie Taylor is coming off an incredible season, breaking several records and being named the PBC runner of the year for the women. She was also named U.S. Track & Field/Cross Country Coaches Association national athlete of the week, which was the first time ever for Augusta University.
“Her work ethic sets the tone for the rest of the women,” said Ward. “She is phenomenal, and I am excited to see what she is going to do after learning so much.”
Ward also says the young talent on the women’s team will really have to step in right away.
“On our women’s side, we are going to have to expect a lot of our younger women to step in,” said Ward. “Of the nine women we got coming in and returning, I am really excited about what the team’s potential is.”
The fall season schedule begins with the Eye Opener Invitational on Sept. 3 in Spartanburg, S.C. Both teams then travel to Huntsville, Ala., for the North Alabama Showcase on Sept. 17.
For October, the team will start in Fairburn (Ga.) for the Alexander Asics Invitational on Oct. 2. The teams then compete in the Royals XC Challenge on Oct. 8 in Charlotte, N.C. The Jaguars finish off the month at the PBC Championship in Fairburn on Oct. 23.
The NCAA Southeast Regional Championship will be in Spartanburg, S.C. on Nov. 6. The NCAA Championships return this fall and will be held in St. Leo, Fla., on Nov. 20.
“Only four guys on the team raced at nationals back when we placed ninth, so that means there will be a couple of guys who competing amongst each other and get there first crack at nationals, which is really exciting,” said Rodriguez.
Both teams will be looking forward to the return of the NCAA Championships and trying to get a chance to compete for a national title.
Contact Chris Rickerson at crickerson@augusta.edu.
Junior Carlos Rodriguez, the Grovetown High School product, gives the Jaguar men depth and experience. At the top of the page, Mackenzie Taylor shows the form that led to her undefeated 2020 cross-country season. (photos by David Troyer, special to the Bell Ringer)
