BAYLOR Athletics TEAMS of the decade (2010-19)
Brice Cherry: Team effort required to highlight Baylor's best of decade
For the next nine weeks, the Trib and Baylor will be teaming up to bring you these illustrious collections of sporting skill. We'll collaborate on an All-Decade squad for each of Baylor's 17 varsity sports, as well as awarding certain superlatives like Player of the Decade, Runner of the Decade, etc.
You might be wondering how these teams will be selected. Well, we've come up with a five-person selection panel for each of the respective sports. It consists of one Trib writer – the beat writer for that respective sport – along with the Baylor sports information director for the sport, Baylor Bear Insider editor Jerry Hill, Baylor assistant athletic director of broadcasting John Morris, and a member of the BU coaching staff for that sport.
COMPLETE STORY
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Baylor football All-Decade: RG3's 2011 Heisman season transcendent
By John Werner, Waco Tribune-Herald
In the spring of 2011, Robert Griffin III overheard some Baylor teammates in the throes of a debate about the best quarterbacks in college football.
Was it 2010 Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton? How about Stanford’s Andrew Luck? Maybe it was versatile Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor or Boise State’s Kellen Moore who had put up some unbelievable passing numbers for three years.
One name that didn’t come up was the guy eavesdropping on the conversation.
COMPLETE STORY
Baylor Football All-Decade Team
Offensive player of the decade: Robert Griffin III
Defensive player of the decade: James Lynch
Specialist of the decade: Aaron Jones
First Team
Offense
QB: Robert Griffin III (2008-11)
RB: Shock Linwood (2013-16)
RB: Terrance Ganaway (2009-11)
WR: Kendall Wright (2008-11)
WR: Corey Coleman (2013-15)
WR: Denzel Mims (2016-19)
Util: Terrance Williams (2009-12)
OL: Cyril Richardson (2010-13)
OL: Spencer Drango (2012-15)
C: Kyle Fuller (2013-16)
OL: Danny Watkins (2009-10)
OL: Blake Muir (2014-15)
K: Aaron Jones (2010-13)
Snap: Jimmy Landes (2011-15)
Defense
DL: James Lynch (2017-19)
DL: Andrew Billings (2013-15)
DL: Shawn Oakman (2013-15)
DL: Chris McAllister (2010-13)
LB: Bryce Hager (2011-14)
LB: Eddie Lackey (2012-13)
LB: Clay Johnston (2016-19)
LB: Taylor Young (2014-17)
DB: Ahmad Dixon (2010-13)
DB: Grayland Arnold (2016-19)
DB: Orion Stewart (2013-16)
DB: Xavien Howard (2013-15)
P: Spencer Roth (2011-14)
Second Team
Offense
QB: Bryce Petty (2011-14)
RB: Lache Seastrunk (2012-13)
RB: Jay Finley (2007-10)
WR: Antwan Goodley (2011-14)
WR: Tevin Reese (2010-13)
WR: KD Cannon (2014-16)
Util: Levi Norwood (2011-14)
OL: Robert T. Griffin (2010-11)
OL: Ivory Wade (2009-12)
C: Philip Blake (2009-11)
OL: Sam Tecklenburg (2016-19)
OL: Jarrell Broxton (2014-15)
K: Connor Martin (2016-18)
Snap: Ross Matiscik (2016-19)
Defense
DL: Bravvion Roy (2016-19)
DL: Phil Taylor (2009-10)
DL: Beau Blackshear (2012-15)
DL: K.J. Smith (2014-17)
LB: Elliot Coffey (2008-11)
LB: Aiavion Edwards (2013-16)
LB: Patrick Levels (2013-16)
LB: Blake Lynch (2016-19)
DB: Byron Landor (2009-10)
DB: K.J. Morton (2011-13)
DB: Joe Williams (2011-13)
DB: Ryan Reid (2013-16)
P: Derek Epperson (2007-10)
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Baylor Baseball All-Decade: Muncy, Verrett, Langeliers forged path to pros from BU
By Brice Cherry, Waco Tribune-Herald
For as long as he can remember, Max Muncy wanted nothing more than to be a baseball player.
That was the dream. Muncy not only chased it, he caught it.
Even better, he became one of the best baseball players in the world.
COMPLETE STORY
Baylor Baseball All-Decade Team
Hitter of the Decade: Max Muncy
Pitcher of the Decade: Logan Verrett
Defensive Player of the Decade: Shea Langeliers
First Team
C: Shea Langeliers (2017-19)
1B: Max Muncy (2010-12)
2B: Raynor Campbell (2007-10)
SS: Nick Loftin (2018-20)
3B: Davis Wendzel (2017-19)
OF: Logan Brown (2012-15)
OF: Logan Vick (2010-12)
OF: Richard Cunningham (2016-19)
DH: Josh Ludy (2009-12)
UT: Brooks Pinckard (2009-11)
Pitchers
SP: Logan Verrett (2009-11)
SP: Josh Turley (2010-12)
SP: Cody Bradford (2017-19)
SP: Hayden Kettler (2017-20)
RP: Troy Montemayor (2015-18)
RP: Kyle Hill (2016-19)
Second Team
C: Gregg Glime (2007-10)
1B: Andy Thomas (2017-20)
2B: Josh Bissonette (2016-19)
SS: Jake Miller (2010-13)
3B: Cal Towey (2010-13)
OF: Kameron Esthay (2015-17)
OF: Cole Haring (2018-19)
OF: Adam Toth (2012-15)
DH: Nathan Orf (2012-13)
UT: Aaron Dodson (2014-17)
Pitchers
SP: Willie Kempf (2007-10)
SP: Trent Blank (2009-12)
RP: Joe Heineman (2016-18)
RP: Josh Michalec (2011-14)
RP: Max Garner (2009-13)
RP: Drew Robertson (2016-18)
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Baylor Men's Golf All-Decade Team: Dossey earns cheers going into encore season
By Chad Conine, Waco Tribune-Herald
Baylor senior golfer Cooper Dossey was on the verge of finishing his college career with a flourish this spring before the response to the coronavirus shut down NCAA sports.
Dossey had battled through injuries and helped the Bears reach the NCAA Championships three times already in his career. Everything was lining up as the spring began.
“Our team got off to a pretty good start this spring,” Dossey said. “Individually, I felt really good and I was super bummed when it all ended. To be honest, I’ve never felt so in control of my golf game than I did this year overall. I was coming off two good finishes at Arizona and then in Cabo. I thought that our team had a good chance to make a run.”
COMPLETE STORY
Baylor Men's Golf All-Decade Team
Player of the Decade: Cooper Dossey
First Team
Cooper Dossey (2016-20)
Kyle Jones (2011-15)
Matthew Perrine (2015-18)
Braden Bailey (2015-19)
Joakim Mikkelsen (2008-12)
Second Team
Garrett May (2015-19)
Colin Kober (2016-20)
Mikkel Bjerch-Andresen (2011-15)
Andreas Gjesteby (2012-16)
Hunter Shattuck (2015-17)
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Baylor Women's Track and Field All-Decade: Tiff-Squared, Annie Rhodes left inspiring legacy
By Brice Cherry, Waco Tribune-Herald
How in the world do you pick between Big Tiff and Little Tiff? It’s a tiff that’s just too tenacious to settle.
One owns more All-America honors than any other athlete in the annals of the Baylor women’s track and field program. The other claimed the most Big 12 titles, not to mention three silver medals on the NCAA stage. They both set a standard that still inspires Baylor tracksters to this day.
So, why choose? Makes sense to split the “tiff-erence.”
COMPLETE STORY
Baylor Women's Track & Field All-Decade Team
Co-Track Athletes of the Decade: Tiffany Townsend and Tiffani McReynolds
Field Athlete of the Decade: Annie Rhodes Johnigan
First Team
Kiana Horton, Sprints (2016-19)
Rachel Johnson, Distance (2012-15)
Tiffani McReynolds, Hurdles (2011-15)
Annie Rhodes, Pole Vault (2014-17)
Brianna Richardson, Jumps (2013-17)
Skylar White, Throws (2010-13)
Olicia Williams, Mid-distance (2013-16)
Second Team
Erin Atkinson, Throws (2012-14)
Taylor Bennett, Sprints (2016-18)
Kiana Hawn, Sprints (2015-18)
Cion Hicks, Throws (2014-17)
Christina Holland, Hurdles (2011-13)
Mariah Kelly, Distance (2012-15)
Maggie Montoya, Distance (2014-17)
Jessica Ubanyionwu, Jumps (2009-11)
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Baylor Women's Tennis All-Decade: Broosova pushed herself, Bears to new heights
By Chad Conine, Waco Tribune-Herald
As a freshman, Lenka Broosova had to be asking herself if she should’ve been more careful what she wished for in a college experience.
Broosova, a native of Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, was a top-100 junior player in the world rankings and was attracted to Baylor because coach Joey Scrivano promised to make her an even better player through lots of hard work.
The grind culture appealed to Broosova and her family and so she came to Waco. And then she got a taste of what that meant.
Baylor Women's Tennis All-Decade Team
Player of the Decade: Lenka Broosova
Doubles Team of the Decade: Ema Burgic and Blair Shankle
First Team
Lenka Broosova (2006-10)
Ema Burgic (2011-15)
Blair Shankle (2013-17)
Nina Secerbegovic (2008-2012)
Jelena Stanivuk (2007-11)
Taylor Ormond (2007-11)
Second Team
Diana Nakic (2010-12)
Sona Novakova (2010-12)
Karolina Filipiak (2007-11)
Csilla Borsanyi (2008-10)
Jordaan Sanford (2011-14)
Kiah Generette (2013-16)
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Motley Baylor's best of decade
By John Werner, Waco Tribune-Herald
It didn’t take long for the skinny 6-10 kid from North Shore High School to understand that he was stepping into a whole new world.
As Johnathan Motley began his first Baylor basketball practices in 2013, he immediately felt the pain of trying to wrestle a rebound away from future Dallas Cowboys tight end Rico Gathers.
He saw fifth-year senior Cory Jefferson’s smooth moves around the basket. Then he caught 7-1 Isaiah Austin handling the ball like a point guard and stepping outside to nail a 3. Two other future NBA players, Royce O’Neale and Taurean Prince, were starting to come into their own as versatile inside-outside talents.
Baylor Men's Basketball All-Decade Team
First team
F: Johnathan Motley (2014-17)
F: Quincy Acy (2008-12)
G: Pierre Jackson (2011-13)
G: Tweety Carter (2006-10)
G: LaceDarius Dunn (2007-11)
Second team
F: Ekpe Udoh (2009-10)
F: Rico Gathers (2012-16)
F: Taurean Prince (2012-16)
F: Perry Jones III (2010-12)
G: Kenny Chery (2013-15)
*Current players with eligibility remaining not included.
Player of the decade: Johnathan Motley
Defender of the decade: Ekpe Udoh
Sixth man of the decade: Brady Heslip
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Baylor A&T All-Decade: Nowlin, Gray gained momentum, stuck the landing
By Brice Cherry, Waco Tribune-Herald
When a tumbler rushes across the mat, flips and flies through the air, then ultimately sticks the landing, it’s a sweet feeling.
When Kiara Nowlin nailed the landing on the final tumbling pass she ever made at Baylor, it was more than that. It was the culmination of years of work. It was sublime.
“I landed it the way I wanted, and in that moment I was just so proud,” Nowlin said. “I was honored to be on Baylor’s team, I was proud of how far I came, and my whole athletic career kind of came to that moment. The best way I can describe it was that it was the perfect moment.
Baylor Acrobatics & Tumbling All-Decade Team
Athlete of the Decade: Kiara Nowlin
Specialist of the Decade: Ceara Gray
First Team
Top/Base: Kaylee Adams (2016-19)
Top: Ashley Echelberger (2016-19)
Back Base: Ceara Gray (2016-19)
Top/Base: Shayla Moore (2015-18)
Top/Base: Kiara Nowlin (2014-17)
Back Base: Lauren Sturm (2015-18)
Second Team
Top: Hope Bravo (2018-19)
Back Spot/Tumbler: Hailey Cowan (2011-14)
Base: Kaelyn Cowan (2014-17)
Top: Bailey Hollier (2016-19)
Base: Courtney Pate (2013-16)
Top/Base/Tumbler: Lori Williamson (2011-14)
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Baylor Soccer All-Decade: Doyle played major role in BU resurgence
By John Werner, Waco Tribune-Herald
It was the November when everything fell together for Paul Jobson’s Baylor soccer program.
After missing the NCAA tournament four straight years, the Bears won the 2017 Big 12 tournament and then rolled to the Elite Eight for the first time in school history.
At the heart of that surge were junior midfielder Julie (James) Doyle, senior midfielder Aline De Lima and senior defender Precious Akanyirige. The impact they made signaled a turning point in the Baylor soccer program and provided the impetus for the Bears to win the 2018 Big 12 regular season title and advance to the Elite Eight for the second straight year.
COMPLETE STORY
Baylor Soccer All-Decade Team
Player of the Decade: Julie James
Offensive Player of the Decade: Aline De Lima
Defensive Player of the Decade: Precious Akinyirige
Defenders
Sarah King (2015-18)
Carlie Davis (2009-12)
Lindsay Burns (2013-16)
Bri Campos (2012-15)
Kat Ludlow (2010-13)
Forwards
Dana Larsen (2009-12)
Raegan Padgett (2016-19)
Lisa Sliwinski (2009-12)
Hanna Gilmore (2009-12)
Goalkeeper
Courtney Seelhorst (2008-11)
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Baylor Men's Tennis All-Decade: Lenz captured Bears fans' focus
By Chad Conine, Waco Tribune-Herald
Julian Lenz could have eased into his first spring playing college tennis at Baylor if he’d wanted to take that route.
A former junior national champion in Germany, Lenz battled through ankle and knee injuries during the fall of his freshman year in Waco as he also attempted to learn a new culture and speak English almost exclusively.
But when former Baylor coach Matt Knoll broached the subject of where the freshman thought he fit in the lineup for his first dual match, Lenz never flinched.
COMPLETE STORY
Baylor Men's Tennis All-Decade Team
Player of the Decade: Julian Lenz
Doubles Team/Pair of the Decade: Julian Lenz/Diego Galeano
First Team
Julian Lenz (2012-16)
Johannes Schretter (2015-19)
Denes Lukacs (2006-10)
Patrick Pradella (2012-14)
John Peers (2010-11)
Mate Zsiga (2011-15)
Second Team
Dominik Mueller (2006-10)
Max Tchoutakian (2014-17)
Roberto Maytin (2009-13)
Diego Galeano (2012-15)
Will Little (2015-19)
Jimmy Bendeck (2015-19)
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Baylor Volleyball All-Decade: Crash landings couldn't hold down BU's Smith, Stafford
By Brice Cherry, Waco Tribune-Herald
If you took the game ball from Baylor volleyball's Final Four match last season and dusted it for fingerprints, you wouldn't find any belonging to Katie (Staiger) Smith.
But you'd better believe they were there. Baylor doesn't get that far without Smith's previous trailblazing steps. She was the program's own Suspension Bridge – closing the gap from dreaming about chasing national championships to making it a reality.
"She was one of several, but probably had that best balance of great athleticism with also a mindfulness of people around her and a trust of where we were trying to go with the program," Baylor head coach Ryan McGuyre said. "Katie's a rock star."
COMPLETE STORY
Baylor Volleyball All-Decade Team
Player of the Decade: Katie (Staiger) Smith
Defender of the Decade: Shelly (Fanning) Stafford
First Team
OH: Katie Staiger (2013-17)
OH: Andie Malloy (2014-15)
OH: Aniah Philo (2016-18)
MB: Shelly Stafford (2015-19)
MB: Elizabeth Graham (2009-10)
L: Allison King (2008-11)
S: Kate Harris (2010-12)
Second Team
OH: Zoe Adom (2009-13)
OH: Gia Milana (2018-19)
MB: Camryn Freiberg (2016-17)
MB: Briana Tolbert (2008-11)
S: Morgan Reed (2013-16)
L: Jana Brusek (2014-17)
L: Tara Wulf (2016-19)
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Baylor Women's Golf All-Decade Team: Davis led Bears to new heights
By Chad Conine, Waco Tribune-Herald
Coaches get a lot of credit for building programs, but any good coach will tell you it takes great players to make that happen.
When Baylor women's golf coach Jay Goble arrived at Baylor in 2011, he just happened to get to Waco at the same time as one of those players. Former Bears women's golf coach Sylvia Ferdon signed a golfer from Wimborne, England, who was ranked among the top 20 European amateurs and was primed to make her name in American college golf.
Hayley Davis finished second in a pair of tournaments during her first month as a college golfer. She earned Big 12 Golfer of the Month in September of 2011 and almost never let up in her Baylor career.
COMPLETE STORY
Baylor Women's Golf All-Decade Team
Golfer of the Decade: Hayley Davis
First Team
Hayley Davis (2011-15)
Laura Lonardi (2013-16)
Amy Lee (2016-18)
Dylan Kim (2014-17)
Hannah Burke (2006-10)
Second Team
Lauren Taylor (2012-13)
Jaclyn Jansen (2008-12)
Chelsey Cothran (2009-12)
Maria Vesga (2015-19)
Giovana Maymon (2014-18)
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Baylor Men's Track All-Decade: Bromell, Obi made permanent connections during gold rush
By Brice Cherry, Waco Tribune-Herald
When Trayvon Bromell blurred across the line like a bullet that June day in 2014, he instantly tilted his head to the scoreboard. It's a sprinters' reflex. Finish the race — then look for the time.
The clock read 9.99. Moments later, it adjusted to 9.97.
Bromell was equally jubilant and relieved. He was the national champ, with a legal sub-10-second time to boot, a new world junior record. But even in the euphoria of the moment, he contemplated a much more expansive amount of time that couldn't be measured with a stopwatch. It was all the time he'd logged on the track to get to that gold medal rush. It was the countless amount of hours invested in him by Baylor sprint coach Michael Ford and the rest of the BU coaching and support staff.
COMPLETE STORY
Baylor Men's Track & Field All-Decade Team
Track Athlete of the Decade: Trayvon Bromell
Field Athlete of the Decade: Felix Obi
First Team
Marcus Boyd (Sprints, 2008-11)
Trayvon Bromell (Sprints, 2014-15)
George Caddick (Sprints, 2014-17)
Chris Gowell (Middle Distance, 2009-10)
Wil London (Sprints, 2016-19)
Woodrow Randall (Sprints, 2011-12)
Desmine Hilliard (Throws, 2013-16)
Felix Obi (Jumps, 2013-17)
Second Team
James Gilreath (Middle Distance, 2011-12)
Zwede Hewitt (Quarter, 2009-12)
Whitney Prevost (Sprints, 2009-12)
Drew Seale (Sprints, 2010-14)
Everett Walker (Sprints, 2012-14)
Maxwell Willis (Sprints, 2017-20)
Nick Lyons (Javelin, 2013-14)
Henry Vildosola (Multis, 2013-14)
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Baylor Equestrian All-Decade: Nobody dominated like Schaefer
By John Werner, Waco Tribune-Herald
Sam Schaefer had only been on the Baylor campus for a few months when a national championship was suddenly riding on her shoulders.
Baylor needed a tremendous ride from Schaefer to clinch the 2012 National Collegiate Equestrian Association Jumping Seat title over Texas A&M at the Extraco Events Center.
Defying the pressure, the freshman was unshakable as she delivered a near-perfect ride in equitation over fences as Baylor won its first and only NCEA championship.
COMPLETE STORY
Baylor Equestrian All-Decade Team
Jumping Seat Rider of the Decade: Sam Schaefer (2012-15)
Western Rider of the Decade: Mary Brown (2013-16)
Mary Brown (2013-16)
Ginger Chant (2013-17)
Abbi Demel (2015-19)
Alicia Gasser (2013-17)
Lisa Goldman (2008-12)
Savannah Jenkins (2013-17)
Bryn Lindley (2010-14)
Sam Schaefer (2012-15)
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Lady Bears All-Decade Team: Griner's favorite number remains 40-0
By Chad Conine, Waco Tribune-Herald
Brittney Griner came to Baylor as a star.
By the time she stepped on campus, the 6-foot-8 dunking sensation from Houston Nimitz High School, the No. 1 recruit in the nation was expected to elevate the Lady Bears' program and alter the future of women's basketball.
Perhaps she did. But along the way, there were also small, possibly unnoticed moments that transformed Griner as a player as well.
COMPLETE STORY
Baylor Women's Basketball All-Decade Team
Player of the Decade: Brittney Griner
Defender of the Decade: Brittney Griner
Sixth Woman of the Decade: Brooklyn Pope
First Team
Brittney Griner
Odyssey Sims
Kalani Brown
Lauren Cox
Nina Davis
Second Team
Destiny Williams
Kristy Wallace
Niya Johnson
Chloe Jackson
Juicy Landrum
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Baylor Men's Cross Country All-Decade: Fueled by persistence, Miles racked up winning miles
By Brice Cherry, Waco Tribune-Herald
A regulation basketball court is always 94 feet in length. A football field spans 100 yards. Whether you travel to California or Connecticut, a tennis court will measure 78 feet long.
Cross country is different. The venues are snowflakes, individual and unique. Even two courses of the same length will vary greatly in the layout. A runner must also adjust to the weather conditions and the pace set by the field.
COMPLETE STORY
Baylor Men's Cross Country All-Decade Team
Runner of the Decade: Brad MIles
Eric Anderson
J.R. Hardy
Robbie Knorr
Devin Meyrer
Jordan West
Brandon White
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Baylor Softball All-Decade: No BU pitcher dominated like Whitney Canion
By John Werner, Waco Tribune-Herald
When Whitney Canion Reichenstein arrived at Baylor in 2008, she didn't expect to stay six years and leave with her bachelor's and master's degrees in hand.
But arm and knee injuries extended her career two extra years, and Reichenstein not only took advantage of them academically but also became the most impactful player in Baylor softball history.
Reichenstein bounced back from her injuries to lead the Lady Bears to Women's College World Series berths in 2011 and 2014 while establishing program pitching records that are so far ahead of anybody else that they will probably never be broken.
COMPLETE STORY
Baylor Softball All-Decade Team
Pitcher of the decade: Whitney Canion
Hitter of the decade: Kyla Walker
Defensive player of the decade: Jessie Scroggins
FIRST TEAM
Offense
1B: Shelby Friudenberg (2015-18)
2B: Ari Hawkins (2014-17)
3B: Sarah Smith (2013-16)
SS: Dani Leal (2009-11)
C: Clare Hosack (2011-14)
OF: Jessie Scroggins (2015-18)
OF: Kathy Shelton (2010-13)
OF: Kyla Walker (2016-20)
DH: Linsey Hays (2012-16)
UT: Lindsey Cargill (2014-17)
Pitching
SP: Whitney Canion (2009-14)
SP: Heather Stearns (2013-16)
SP: Gia Rodoni (2016-20)
SECOND TEAM
Offense
1B: Holly Holl (2011-14)
2B: Nicky Dawson (2018-20)
3B: Megan Turk (2009-12)
SS: Jordan Strickland (2012-15)
C: Robin Landrith (2013-16)
OF: Kaitlyn Thumann (2012-15)
OF: Kayce Walker (2009-12)
OF: Nicole Wesley (2007-10)
DP: Goose McGlaun (2017-20)
UT: Taylor Ellis (2017-20)
Pitching
SP: Courtney Repka (2010-13)
SP: Kelsee Selman (2016-17)
RP: Liz Paul (2011-14)
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Baylor Women's Cross Country All-Decade: Johnson attacked her path with fervor, even when rocky
By Brice Cherry, Waco Tribune-Herald
No cross country course is completely flat and straight. There are undulations, bends in the path, steep inclines or road hazards to navigate.
Such a trajectory serves as the perfect metaphor for Rachel Johnson's career. It wasn't always sleek and easy.
But at Baylor, nobody ran any harder. Nobody pushed through the wall and kept on going any better than Johnson.
COMPLETE STORY
Baylor Women's Cross Country All-Decade Team
Runner of the Decade: Rachel Johnson
Robyn Bennett
Lindsey Bradley
Maggie Montoya
Peyton Thomas
Anna West
Cate Westenhover
