Trinity's Sixth Place National Finish Recognized as Top Women's Cross Country Moment

SUWANEE, Ga. - Less than a decade ago - the year was 2002 to be exact - it was big news when the SCAC sent its first team (Rhodes College) to the NCAA Division III Women's Cross Country Championships.

Since that milestone, however, 12 teams have qualified for the national meet, and on November 22, 2008, Trinity University posted the best finish by a SCAC school in national championship meet history as the Tiger women finish sixth at the 2008 NCAA Women's Cross Country Championships at Hanover College. That moment is being recognized as the Top Moment in the history of SCAC women's cross country. Top 20 Moments homepage

Led by a 17th-place individual finish by senior Emily Loeffler (21:31.04), Trinity finished with 317 points, just seven points behind fifth-place University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Loeffler earned all-America honors with her finish and became Trinity's first-ever cross country all-American, male or female.

The SCAC achieved another milestone that day. In addition to Loeffler, DePauw University's Lauren Reich (21:35.00 - 27th place) and Rhodes College's Taylor Stephens (21:44.90 - 35th place) also earned all-America honors with their performances - giving the SCAC three individual all-Americans from the same championship meet for the first time ever.

Russell Kramer, the SCAC Director of Communications/New Media, had a chance to catch up with Trinity head coach Jenny Breuer as well as former Tiger all-American Emily Loeffler to reflect on that magical day in 2008 - the day Trinity University raised the bar for all future SCAC women's cross country teams. Click here to list to the interview with Coach Breuer; click here to listen to the interview with Emily Loeffler.

To view the complete list of SCAC Women's Cross Country Top Moments, click here.

Throughout the 2010-2011 academic year, the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference will celebrate its 20th anniversary. A special logo commemorating the occasion will be used and the league office will also be releasing the Top 20 moments for each sport the conference sponsors (excluding men's and women's lacrosse).