AMC SEASON PREVIEW: Women's Cross Country
August 18, 2021
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The coaches have selected the reigning American Midwest Conference champion Columbia Cougars to win it all once again in the conference preseason poll. They narrowly edged out William Woods University in second and Missouri Baptist University in third.
1. Columbia College (38 points)
The Cougars roll into the 2021 campaign as team champions in the last four seasons and look to continue their dominance with their top five runners returning. Two-time All-AMC recipient and national qualifier Mikayla Sehlmeyer heads the essential returners list, including three other 2020 All-Conference team members in Emma Homfeldt, Jada O'Donnell, and Grace Brinkmann. Perri Welch was the most significant addition for Columbia, coming in from Hickman High School after finishing 14th at the Missouri State High School Championships.
2. William Woods University (36 points)
William Woods put together a strong 2020 campaign and looks to challenge the Cougars for the top spot in the AMC after winning the A.I.I. Team Championship last season. The top female runner in Owls' history, Elli Dimond, returns after winning the individual championship in the A.I.I. and will be joined by various NAIA National Qualifiers in Kimi Putnam, Alicia Engelbrecht, Harley Nale, Faith Gerling, Mary Grover, and Shaley Eichholz.
William Woods loses Katie Keath and Ellie Luebbert from their championship team but adds four newcomers to the roster. After a 24th-place finish at the NAIA National Championship, the Owls are set up nicely to compete for the crown once again this season.
3. Missouri Baptist University (30 points)
Despite failing to qualify for nationals as a team, the Spartans had a successful 2020 campaign that saw the group receive votes in the national poll, Emily Bayer receive gold in her first five races (including the AMC Championships), and two runners qualify for the NAIA National Championship. They retained their top four runners, including Bayer, while not losing anyone. Additionally, they added a three-time MSHSAA Class-Five All-State Recipient in Mia Reed, Mineral Area College transfer Nani Brewington, and freshman from Washington High School (Ill.) Isabel Rinkenberger.
4. Hannibal-LaGrange University (24 points)
Ellie Hudelson and the Trojans look to improve on their third-place finish in the AMC Championship last season. Hannibal-LaGrange brings back their two top runners from the impressive conference meet performance in 2020, including Hudelson (10th place) and Madelyn Newson (16th place). Their most significant departure was senior Lauren Sisco, who finished in second place, just six seconds off the pace of the AMC Individual Champion.
5. University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy (17 points)
The Eutectics, led by Allison Wakeland's seventh-place finish, finished fourth last year in the conference championship and earned 17 points in the coaches' preseason poll. Wakeland comes back this season after a national championship appearance alongside Claudia LaBruyere, Mikayla Sherrill, and Sophie Eastham to round out the top returners from the 2020 squad.
6. Lyon College (15 points)
The Scots return to AMC play in 2021 after a fifth-place finish at the A.I.I. Championship in 2020. Lyon does not lose any key runners from last year while retaining NAIA National Qualifier Clare Wilber and top-20 A.I.I. runner Haeley Pines.
7. Williams Baptist University (14 points)
After a fifth-place finish last season, the Eagles hope to be more competitive in 2021, returning their top two runners, Ali Ward and Emily Weiss. A significant subtraction to the team is senior Kyla Hudson. However, freshman recruit Mikey Larson looks to help the roster in her rookie campaign.
8. Central Baptist College (6 points)
Looking to rebound from a fifth-place finish at the AMC Championship last year, the Mustangs come into 2021 as the underdogs.
AMC Women's Cross Country Conference Championship
The 2021 AMC Women's Cross Country Championships takes place on November 5 at Cosmo Park in Columbia, Mo. Championships Page
1. Columbia College (38 points)
The Cougars roll into the 2021 campaign as team champions in the last four seasons and look to continue their dominance with their top five runners returning. Two-time All-AMC recipient and national qualifier Mikayla Sehlmeyer heads the essential returners list, including three other 2020 All-Conference team members in Emma Homfeldt, Jada O'Donnell, and Grace Brinkmann. Perri Welch was the most significant addition for Columbia, coming in from Hickman High School after finishing 14th at the Missouri State High School Championships.
2. William Woods University (36 points)
William Woods put together a strong 2020 campaign and looks to challenge the Cougars for the top spot in the AMC after winning the A.I.I. Team Championship last season. The top female runner in Owls' history, Elli Dimond, returns after winning the individual championship in the A.I.I. and will be joined by various NAIA National Qualifiers in Kimi Putnam, Alicia Engelbrecht, Harley Nale, Faith Gerling, Mary Grover, and Shaley Eichholz.
William Woods loses Katie Keath and Ellie Luebbert from their championship team but adds four newcomers to the roster. After a 24th-place finish at the NAIA National Championship, the Owls are set up nicely to compete for the crown once again this season.
3. Missouri Baptist University (30 points)
Despite failing to qualify for nationals as a team, the Spartans had a successful 2020 campaign that saw the group receive votes in the national poll, Emily Bayer receive gold in her first five races (including the AMC Championships), and two runners qualify for the NAIA National Championship. They retained their top four runners, including Bayer, while not losing anyone. Additionally, they added a three-time MSHSAA Class-Five All-State Recipient in Mia Reed, Mineral Area College transfer Nani Brewington, and freshman from Washington High School (Ill.) Isabel Rinkenberger.
4. Hannibal-LaGrange University (24 points)
Ellie Hudelson and the Trojans look to improve on their third-place finish in the AMC Championship last season. Hannibal-LaGrange brings back their two top runners from the impressive conference meet performance in 2020, including Hudelson (10th place) and Madelyn Newson (16th place). Their most significant departure was senior Lauren Sisco, who finished in second place, just six seconds off the pace of the AMC Individual Champion.
5. University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy (17 points)
The Eutectics, led by Allison Wakeland's seventh-place finish, finished fourth last year in the conference championship and earned 17 points in the coaches' preseason poll. Wakeland comes back this season after a national championship appearance alongside Claudia LaBruyere, Mikayla Sherrill, and Sophie Eastham to round out the top returners from the 2020 squad.
6. Lyon College (15 points)
The Scots return to AMC play in 2021 after a fifth-place finish at the A.I.I. Championship in 2020. Lyon does not lose any key runners from last year while retaining NAIA National Qualifier Clare Wilber and top-20 A.I.I. runner Haeley Pines.
7. Williams Baptist University (14 points)
After a fifth-place finish last season, the Eagles hope to be more competitive in 2021, returning their top two runners, Ali Ward and Emily Weiss. A significant subtraction to the team is senior Kyla Hudson. However, freshman recruit Mikey Larson looks to help the roster in her rookie campaign.
8. Central Baptist College (6 points)
Looking to rebound from a fifth-place finish at the AMC Championship last year, the Mustangs come into 2021 as the underdogs.
AMC Women's Cross Country Conference Championship
The 2021 AMC Women's Cross Country Championships takes place on November 5 at Cosmo Park in Columbia, Mo. Championships Page
| AMC Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll | ||
| Rank | School | Points |
| 1 | Columbia | 38 |
| 2 | William Woods | 36 |
| 3 | Missouri Baptist | 30 |
| 4 | Hannibal-LaGrange | 24 |
| 5 | Health Sciences & Pharmacy | 17 |
| 6 | Lyon | 15 |
| 7 | Williams Baptist | 14 |
| 8 | Central Baptist | 6 |