For the third time in their four years at Stanford University, Amanda and Katy Trotter are national champions.
The twins from Red Bank Regional High School helped the Cardinal successfully defend their NCAA Division I cross country championship on Nov. 20 in Terre Haute, In. at the LaVern Gibson Cross Country Course at the Wabash Family Sports Center. They were Stanford’s fourth and fifth scorers as the Cardinal, with 195 points, topped Colorado (223) and Michigan (233) for their second straight title and third in the Trotters’ four years there. Stanford started the season ranked No. 1 and stayed on top throughout the year.
Running over a slick, muddy track on the lay out, Amanda Trotter was 70th overall, running the 6,000-meters in 21:52.0. Katy Trotter was next in 78th (21:55.0).
The championship capped what had been a stellar campaign for seniors in their final cross country season. It started at the Pre-NCAA’s held in Terre Haute, over the same course used for the national championships, which Stanford won. Amanda Trotter was fifth (20:27) and Katy, eighth (20:32) in this tune up race on Oct. 14.
At the Pac-10 Championships, which Stanford hosted, the Trotters earned First Team All-Pac 10 honors by finishing second and third. Katy turned in a 20:18.31 in second place with Amanda right next to her in third (20:18.37). The Cardinal swept the top four places en route to a 22-point team total well ahead of runner-up Arizona State’s 51. The meet was held on Oct. 28.
At the West Regional held on Nov. 11 in Portland, Ore., Katy Trotter was runner-up to teammate Arianna Lambie (who was also the Pac-10 champion) in 21:12.1. Amanda was fourth in 21:16.8.
With a team total of 42, the Cardinal easily captured the team title over UC Santa Barbara (72).
Back in April, the Trotters teamed up with Lambie and another member of the victorious cross country championship team, Lauren Centrowitz, to set the American Record in the 4×1,500-meters at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia, Pa.
– Tim Morris

