The ISU women’s cross-country team went through quite a few changes at the start of the 2013 season. It had just graduated former national champion Betsy Saina, and former coach Corey Ihmels had just left for a job at Boise State, leaving the runners with doubt on how the season would turn out.

However, with the hire of new coach Andrea Grove-McDonough, the Cyclones climbed through the rankings, surprising not only the cross-country world but themselves as well.

Sophomore Crystal Nelson had led the Cyclones to the fourth consecutive Midwest Regional Championship, earning the team an automatic bid for the National Collegiate Athletic Association Championships.

The team then went on to finish 13th at the national meet the following week. While many had hoped for a higher finish, they were not disappointed.

“From the outside looking in, it looks like we have accomplished all of these great things,” Grove-McDonough said. “But we’ve really had some challenges this year, and what we’ve done is really remarkable. If you had asked any of us at the beginning of the year if we thought we would be where we are now, we wouldn’t be giving an honest answer if we said, ‘yes.’”

Looking forward to next season, the women will only lose one runner in Samantha Bluske. Along with Nelson, All-American Bethanie Brown and senior captain Maggie Gannon will look to lead the Cyclones to another National Collegiate Athletic Association Championship appearance.

The young team gained plenty of experience last season, something that it says will help tremendously next season.

“I am so excited. I’m already thinking about it,” Nelson said. “We’re returning just about everyone, and I think we can do big things. I can’t wait to see what the future brings.”