Walking onto the starting box is a common thing for Sophia Taarud, but this season comes with different conversations than before. The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Women’s Cross Country Preseason Coaches’ Poll came out on Aug. 25, and Taarud represented Winona State University as the Preseason Athlete of the Year nominee for the conference. With high honors comes anticipation, but the Farmington product has made a career out of responding to high expectations.
“It just makes me excited to represent Winona State. My mindset going into this season is to stay patient throughout the long season while keeping my eyes set on the Lord and just have fun with the process,” said Taarud.
Sophia started her collegiate running career with the Winona State Track and Field team as freshman, competing in the 1000-meter, 1500-meter and the mile races. She joined the cross-country team as well in the Fall of 2022, using her experience in distance running to work her towards the NCAA Division II Central Regional Race. She paced her way towards a top thirty finish. Taarud helped the Warriors finish eleventh out of thirty-four qualified teams. She finished in the top hundred runners in National Championship race and started on the road towards her ascending stock.
Taarud discussed the importance of the regional race and the profound impact it had on her Winona State career.
“It was an incredible experience, especially watching Lindsay Cunningham finish as the All-American runner up and seeing Kaylee Beyer earn her All-American honor.” She said, “I’ve loved the memories of exploring new towns with my teammates on these trips and witnessing people surprise themselves with what they can accomplish.”
The next year was a breakout year for Taarud, receiving accolades through her time and experience competing against the best. As it was a great year for the Winona State cross-country team, finishing first overall at the NSIC Championships in Bismark, North Dakota. Sophia finished as the ninth runner overall, earning first team all-conference for the race. She finished eighth overall in the 2023 NCAA Division II Central Regional race, as the Warriors kept the winning streak going with first place honors for the race. Sophia would go on to finish in the top fifty for the National Championship race.
One teammate that Taarud noted as a big influence in her time as a Warrior. Kaylee Beyer was a multiple time All-American and holds multiple records in indoor and outdoor Track and Field.
“She inspired me to set ambitious goals and consistently encouraged me to keep pushing forward, especially during times when injuries made me question where running and I stood,” Taarud said.
For last season, it was Taarud’s time to lead the pack for Winona State, as she took on the role as the lead runner for the Warriors. A large ask for anyone, but she was ready for the challenge. Paying back the vote of confidence by Coach Hibshman, she earned a second-place finish in the NSIC Tournament and First Team All-Conference Honors for the second straight year. The lead runner for the Warriors earned second place again in the 2024 NCAA Central Regional, helping Winona State earn fourth place as a team. In the NCAA National Championship, Sophia would make a huge jump again as the twenty-second runner out of all of Division II.
While Taarud has transcended as a runner, she also dominates the classroom. She is a multi-time member of the Winona State Dean’s List throughout her academic career. The National Collegiate DII Cross Country Association honored her as a two-time All-Academic runner. She continues to check every box as a student athlete.
Taarud has accomplished plenty in her Winona State career, yet expectations grow larger for her final season with the Warriors. But if history tells us one thing, she tends to exceed those standards. The next time you can see Sophia will be at the Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis on Sept. 19th. You will see her controlling the pace like she has done for her entire Winona State career.
