Florida State University Athletics
10/27/2021 3:08:10 PM | Cross Country, General, Men's Cross Country
The opportunity to run again for such a talented team inspired four FSU women’s cross-country student-athletes to return for a fifth season.
Amanda Beach, Lauren Ryan, Maudie Skyring, and Jen Lima took different paths, but ultimately jumped at the chance to compete in the Garnet and Gold one more time, knowing the 2021 NCAA Cross Country Championships in November would be on their home course.
Beach transferred to Florida State from Duke for her final year of eligibility. Competing on a high caliber NCAA level was an opportunity she could not pass up.
“Look around at the potential of this team,” Beach said. “Why wouldn’t someone want to be a part of it?”
The Seminoles are currently ranked 10th in the nation, the highest since the 2019 season. Beach has contributed to a major part of that ranking as a fixture in FSU’s top five.
Amanda Beach
After spending two seasons at Villanova, Ryan also transferred to Florida State seeking out new competition in the ACC.
Florida State was always in her top four when she was first recruited in 2017.
“At that point FSU was still building the program to where they are today.,” Ryan said. “At the time Villanova was my choice. Two years later FSU was the right choice for me.”
When the pandemic first settled in, Ryan went back home to Australia and continued to run individually until her return to Tallahassee in May of this year, sitting out the 2020-21 season.
“I felt pressure because I had a successful season back home running on my own throughout the summer,” Ryan said. “[However] I am excited for the team’s success and to help my teammates through [this season].”
Handling the pressure just fine, Ryan has been FSU’s top runner in every meet.
She finished first in the 5k at the Covered Bridge Open, fifth in the FSU XC Open, 20th at the Joe Piane Invite before taking bronze at the FSU Invitational/Pre-National meet.
Lauren Ryan
All-American, Skyring, competed on the team for four years before the head coach, Kelly Phillips, announced her retirement this summer.
“I had to think this fifth year could be a lot different, but I still wanted to come back.”
With Bob Braman taking over the women’s cross country program for the 2021-22 season, Skyring was unsure of what this year would hold.
Skyring decided she would adjust to changes and use her year of eligibility to stay and compete for another year and run at nationals with the rest of the team.
“It’s a rare opportunity a team gets. I love our course and didn’t want to end my running career yet,” Skyring said.
Skyring also encouraged her classmate, Lima to stay for a fifth year.
“The coaching change was a shock to a lot of us. But, because it didn’t change it just shifted, we weren’t too worried about it. They still listen to us about keeping some things the same, it was a good transition,” Lima stated.
She was ready to return to cross country this season and compete in nationals after taking a season to train for steeplechase.
“It is a cool experience a lot of people don’t have, hosting nationals. I wanted to be here for that.”
Cross country is a very team-oriented sport. Women on the team encourage each other and push each other during races since the goal is to finish as high as possible and in a pack.
Maudie Skyring
“My closest friends are on the team,” Skyring said. “Going to practice is hanging out with your friends again. This is the biggest thing I have gained. It is nice to have people who share things and common passions.”
New to the team in her fifth year, Beach especially noticed this team emphasis and it was what drew her to transfer to FSU.
Although she has not been on the team the past four years, Beach is committed to having an open mind and learning from the women on the team.
“I try to be approachable and a friendly face but keep everything in perspective for questions,” says Beach.
Participating in a sport where you are constantly learning, Beach continues to gain knowledge from the younger girls about the team culture and dynamics.
Jen Lima
“I love the team dynamic,” Lima said. “Especially in the past year the group got close.”
The women could easily be divided because they are competing on such a large team. Instead, they have successfully become more united. Throughout Lima’s career, the women have worked hard to grow together and compete in conjunction.
“As I have gotten older, we have been better at meshing together,” Lima said. “There are team meetings and events together.”
Skyring also believes the team has evolved over the past five years.
“We have grown and improved a lot. We were not as strong when we first got here. We started at a top ten at conference and are now [competing] to win or be top three,” Skyring says.
To reach this level of competition successfully, practice is integral. Training has remained consistent through the years. The women practice together every morning at 6:30-7 am and partake in two hard workouts a week. They travel or compete every other weekend. A lot of focus goes into recovery to ensure the women stay healthy for the whole season. This means icing, rolling, staying on top of sleep, and nutrition are prioritized.
Working hard and training with teammates is helping to prepare the women for nationals this year.
“It is exciting for the team’s success. With everyone healthy on the start line [there is] a good chance we will be on the podium as a team,” Ryan said.
To obtain this victory, it is key the women have confidence in themselves and each other.
“Success is believing in what I can do and [how] the people around me can help me achieve.” Ryan continued. “Consistency is key and proves success at the end of the day.”
Beach and Lima also hope to score well at NCAAs on their home course.
“I think we can do big things at nationals. The talent is deep and there is a lot of potential. It will be a good season if we can put it all together,” Beach said.
Lima expects the team can do better this season.
“The hope is to perform exceedingly well on [our] home course. I want to be on the NCAA team and contribute to it the best I can [by] pushing the other girls and helping in that way.”
The women hope to perform well this season and leave a legacy the younger women will remember.
“We want the team to continue to improve and learn from things we taught them,” Skyring said. “Even after we graduate.”
The post season for the Seminoles start on Friday at the ACC Championships, but they’re excited to host the NCAA Championships on November 20 and lead the team to success in their fifth and final year.
