WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY They Came So Far. • and They Were So Close 1982 was the season that almost failed to happen in women's cross country. At the beginni ng of the fall semester, on ly one letterman, Marla Upton, had reported to coach Ted Lloyd. Several of the performers from last year's NAIA District 17 Championship team had graduated, several did not return to school, others were more concerned with studies. Around the A IC, A rkansas College was again fielding a team, and Hendrix was talking about it, but the other schools were fielding only men's cross country squads. But instead of being discouraged, senior tvtarla Upton found ways to overcome adversity. Bubbling with enthusiasm about running and women's sports, she quickly spread the word to other fema le ath letes on campus that help was needed. And by the end of the f irst week of school, the beginnings of a team had assembled. Although most the newcomers had little experience, they had determination ... and motivation. Aside from personal motivation to compete well in college athletics these women had expert help from Ted lioyd, the Ale's winningest coach and from Upton, who could talk about being district champs and going to NAIA nationals in 1981. Eleven different women donned the lady Bison uniforms during the season, but eventually a hard core group of six young ladies banded together to represent Harding and find out how well they cou ld compete. The four-meet season was short but exciting. Upton took first place in three of the meets and finished second in the other to pace the team. In her last two meets she had a personal best time of 20:00 over the 5000 meter course. Arkansas College fell victims to Harding twice on September 23 and October 8, both times on their home course in Batesville. But the margins of victory were never great, 27-29 and 25-30, respectively. Based on the two wi ns and last year's 12th place finish at the NAIA nationals, the lady Bisons were ranked 12th nationally by the NAIA for several weeks. - Courtesy 01 Publicity Office 148/Women 's Cross Country But the team found stiffer competition October 25 in Memphis, and came away with a 49 point third place finish behind Sewanee University, 45, and Southwestern College, 27. They were hindered because Marci Williams, a letterman and a second place finisher on the team, was unable to run in the meet due to a scheduled performance with the Belles and Beaux. Optismism was still high for the showdown November 5 in Batesville with the l ady Scots. The winner would travel to Kenusha, Wisconsin, for the NAIA nationals and would be crowned district champions. As both teams loosened up for the race, a portable stereo system blared eerie music from the theme of "Chariots of Fire" through the stadium loudspeakers above the cou rse. In a dramatic, hotly-contested, and emotionpacked race, Upton and Williams swept first and second place, but the lady Scots dogged the middle and took third through sixth and eighth places. Allyson Harni ss, a hard-working sophomore from Monroe, Wash., took seventh place for Harding. freshman Patty fisher and Cheryl Detorres took ninth and 10th places and senior lisa Jenkins of Crossett, Ark., placed 11th. The final score was 26-29 in favor of the lady Scots. Based on their performances Upton and Wi llia[l1s earned All-District honors and competed unattached in the NAJA Nationals on November 20. Williams placed 75 th and Upton placed 93rd out of 215 girls. "<:; 1982 NAIA DISTRICT 17 WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS Arkansas Coll ege Harding University . ' 26 29 - Courtesy 01 Publicity Ollice
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