Kansas City, MO – After two races the UC women's cross country team finds themselves ranked 25^th in the NAIA Top-25 Coaches' Poll, announced by the national office Thursday. The Patriots are perfect on the year, placing first at both the Drakes Creek Scramble and the Berea-Centre Jamboree this season.
 
Veterans Lauren McHan and Meredith Elstun have lead the charge for the Patriots so far this season. McHan and Elstun have placed in the top-five in both meets. McHan's third place finish at Berea and Elstun's third place finish at Drakes Creek mark the top finishes of the season for UC.
 
Trenton, GA native Taylor Warren has been a staple in the scoring lineup this season, placing sixth at both meets. The sophomore ran a season best time of 20:18.7 at Drakes Creek this past weekend, and looks to continue to improve throughout the year. 
 
Junior Kinsey Forgey alongside freshmen Lydiah Strauel and Lauren Sanderson have rounded out the Patriots scorers on the season and have provided a depth that will allow the Patriots continued success on the course. These three each have a top-ten individual finish on the year, Forgey and Strauel placed eighth and ninth, respectfully at Berea, while Sanderson crossed the line tenth at Drakes Creek.   
 
St. Francis earned 560 points to keep their preseason number one rank through the first poll, while Milligan and Cornerstone come in at second and third. Taylor and Aquinas round out the top five, while Campbellsville, the only other MSC team mentioned in the poll, is receiving votes.
 
The Patriots look ahead to their toughest test so far, going to the Greater Louisville Classic on Saturday, October 2^nd. This is the biggest meet UC will have raced at this season with teams from all over the nation attending.
 
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