Lady Rams Cross Country: Running TowardsGreatness

The Lady Rams

By: Dasia Gilyard

Lady Rams on Me, Lady Rams on 3....1,2,3 Lady Rams! The Reigning SIAC Women's

Cross Country Champions at Albany State University are on the Horizon to a new season to

defend their conference title with 100% Effort and No Excuses. The Albany State University

Women's Cross-Country team earned the 2024 SIAC Conference Championship and on

the run to win back-to-back titlesAt Albany State University, being a part of the Lady Rams Cross Country team is

more than just early morning runs and finishing first across the line — it's a lifestyle built on

discipline, passion, effort, and unwavering consistency. These women are not just athletes

— they are scholars, leaders, and examples of what it means to strive for greatness in

every area of life.

Under the leadership of Coach Rob, Cross Country & Track Coach, the Lady Rams

have embraced a new era of excellence. For Coach Rob, the coaching journey has been

deeply affected by working under Head Coach Kenneth Taylor, whom he credits for helping

him elevate his coaching philosophy and approach to leadership. Coach Rob shared that

being under the leadership of Head Coach Kenneth Taylor has helped him reach higher

heights in his coaching career. He explained that the core values he instills in his athletes

discipline, perseverance, and consistency — are directly influenced by what he has

learned from Coach Taylor. For Coach Rob, success is ultimately defined by winning.

But winning, at Albany State, is not just about crossing the finish line first.

Coach Taylor’s vision reaches far beyond athletics. As Head Coach of the program, he’s

committed to developing well-rounded student-athletes prepared for life after the race.

Coach Taylor emphasized that his goals for his athletes extend beyond success in

competition. He expressed that he not only wants to see them win on the athletic side but

also to earn their degrees, walk across the graduation stage, and step confidently into new

endeavors and grand opportunities.This balance of athletic rigor and academic excellence is echoed by Coach McGirt,

Sprint Coach for the Track & Field program. For him, it’s all about effort. Coach McGirt

emphasized that whatever path a person chooses to follow requires effort — and full effort

at that. He expressed his dedication to Albany State University, stating that his mission is

to help develop well-rounded individuals who can contribute meaningfully to society and

continue growing as people.

The Lady Rams cross-country team reflects all these values. Their early mornings,

long miles, and personal sacrifices are not just about being competitive — they're about

building the kind of character that lasts far beyond college. At Albany State, being a Lady

Ram means running with purpose, living with discipline, and chasing down dreams — one

stride at a time.