The Women’s Cross Country team has quietly climbed the ranks to become one of the elite teams in the nation, currently ranked 12th.
The program has gained strength each year with head coach Jarrett Slaven running the show. Since his arrival at UT he has led the Spartans to their first NCAA Divison II South Regional title in 2004, three consecutive SSC titles and produced the SSC’s Runner of the Year for three seasons in a row.
A big reason for their continued success this season has been the surprising emergence of the freshmen recruits.
“I’m satisfied with the work from the freshmen,” he says. “We were real lucky.”
One of the top freshmen runners is Paige Williams. Williams came to UT from Apollo Beach, Fla. where she was an elite runner at East Bay High School. She has made a strong impact on the team, becoming the number two runner. She’s finished in the top 10 in three of her six races. She appreciates being part of such a talented team.
“It’s really cool,” she says. “I’ve never been part of such a good team.”
The other freshmen runners are Jessica Forrester, Alysha Duffy, Dara Fox, Michelle Gabrielle and Sarah Nelson.
The team is led by junior Laura Woznicki, who has enjoyed a very successful season with top 10 finishes in all her races, including a first place finish at the USF Cross Country Relays. She won the race with Williams.
Woznicki was recently named SSC Player of the Week.
“It was a great honor especially since it was my first time,” she says. “I didn’t even know about it at first. My mom was the one who called to tell me.”
Even she is surprised at how well the team has done this year. She noted how well the freshmen have performed.
“I’m enjoying the team,” she says. “I didn’t really expect it. The girls coming in had tough shoes to fill. I think we are doing awesome.”
Head coach Slaven appreciates Woznicki’s hard work
“She really worked hard in the summer,” he says. “She came into this season 15 pounds lighter. She was real fit.”
Credit also has to be given to coach Slaven. He has been coaching since 1958 and has a true passion for the sport. Since taking over coaching duties for the Spartans, the program has become a true bright spot in UT sports. His style of working his runners hard but not beating them up has the women’s team in a great position.
“I’ve been lucky to have such hard-working runners.”
With the emergence of a talented freshmen class and Coach Slaven running the program, the women’s cross country team is poised for many more years of success.