Taylor sets school record in her first XC race; UAB meet next

AU sophomore Mackenzie Taylor ran well ahead of the field in winning her first-ever cross-country meet at the Koala Classic. (photo by Paula Toole, AU Athletics)

By Justin Brosemer |
Sports writer

Augusta University women’s cross-country breakout performer Mackenzie Taylor made her mark against the opposition and in the record book during the 6-kilometer race at the Koala XC Invitational on Oct. 3 in West Columbia, S.C.

Taylor blew away the competition during the annual cross-country meet hosted by Columbia College. She would finish the event 1 minute and 15 seconds ahead of her nearest competition. Taylor and the rest of the Jaguar runners went up against The Citadel, Bob Jones University, University of South Carolina Aiken and Columbia College. Taylor would achieve a personal and school record time of 20:36.2 during her win and helped lead AU to first place as a team.

And it was her first-ever cross-country meet. Previously, Taylor played soccer at Truett McConnell University before she transferred to AU.

Taylor spoke about her feelings after winning the competition and later learning that she had broken the school record.

“It felt amazing to win my first cross country meet,” Taylor said. “It was very surreal.”

The Augusta University sophomore talked about the victory with a surprising level of composure and appreciation that would be expected of a senior. After the victory, Taylor was notified by AU Coach Adam Ward that she had broken the record, and that was followed by a flurry of hugs from her teammates.

“I couldn’t believe that all of my training and hard work has finally paid off,” said Taylor.

Taylor heads toward the finish line. (photo by Paula Toole, AU Athletics)

Following her momentous performance, Taylor was honored by the Peach Belt Conference as its selection for Women’s Runner of the Week.

“It felt satisfying to be noticed by the Peach Belt Conference, especially being new to the conference,” Taylor said. “It has given me a new level of confidence heading into our next competition, where I hope on achieving a top finish in team and individual placements again.”

Now that Taylor has made her presence known throughout the Peach Belt Conference, the warranted new attention will be noticeable at the upcoming women’s cross country meet on Friday, Oct. 16 in Hoover, Ala. This weekend’s event, the Blazer Classic, is an annual cross-country competition hosted by the University of Alabama at Birmingham that is compromised of highly-respected programs across the south.

“My mindset going into this meet is to be calm and collected,” she said. “Just to focus on the race and not overthink it. I just need to run my race.”

There is no doubt that Ward, Taylor, and the women Jaguars hope to run well again on this shortened season before heading to their final competition of the regular season in the North Georgia Classic on Halloween before the Peach Belt Conference Championship on Nov. 14. That will be the final meet of the 2020 season. There will be no NCAA Division II regional or national meet this year.

Contact Jack Brosemer at JBROSEMER@augusta.edu.