The Parkside women’s cross country team is set to open the 2025 season with high expectations after earning its best-ever placement in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) preseason coaches poll. The Rangers were picked second overall, collecting one first-place vote — both program bests since joining the GLIAC.
The recognition comes on the heels of a historic 2024 campaign in which Parkside placed third at the GLIAC Championships and sixth at the NCAA Midwest Regional, the team’s best regional finish since 2015. The Rangers return five of their top seven runners from that lineup, providing a strong foundation for the upcoming season.
Leading the charge is sophomore standout Abbi Steiner, who was named GLIAC Freshman of the Year after finishing third at the GLIAC Championships and 14th at the NCAA Midwest Regional, where she also earned All-Region honors. Joining her as key returners are Johanna Ebert, who placed 27th at the NCAA Midwest Regional and qualified for the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the spring, and Audrey Amaya, rounding out a trio of returning All-GLIAC honorees.
Head coach Nick Maas and the Rangers will also integrate a talented incoming class, featuring five freshmen and two transfers, many of whom are expected to compete for scoring spots right away.
