UNIVERSITY CENTER-The 2015-2016 track and field season for current Saginaw Valley State University standout Taylor Stepanski was quite remarkable. The former Alpena Wildcat finished with All-American Honors and still has one season left to go and she continues to set the bar high.

“This year has been super rewarding. Finishing indoor was a little disappointing for me because I felt like I did not perform my best and to my greatest potential, so leaving the national meet, I was more motivated than ever to redeem myself at the national level. I was very excited to be able to go outdoor and be able to compete again for SVSU,” Stepanski said.

Recently, Stepanski competed in the 2016 NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships and took a fourth place finish in the 800 meter run.

She crossed the finish line with a time of 2:07.09, which was just .07 seconds off of her personal best mark of 2:07.02. The fourth place finish gave Stepanski another All-American honor for the year, as she earned honors during the indoor season as well, competing in the 800 meter run.

“I really wanted that personal best at outdoor nationals, but knowing that I ran my fastest 800 while coming off a prelim the night before as encouraging. The 800 outdoor was probably one of the most competitive races I have ran in throughout my collegiate career. Running against some of the best Division II athletes in the nation was definitely something that was well worth all the work I put in,” Stepanski said.

The indoor season was a good stepping stone for her outdoor season as she ran an automatic time to get into the indoor national meet where she finished eighth nationally overall.

During the outdoor season Stepanski ran the automatic time of 2:07.02 to get into the outdoor national meet. She also ran the 1,500 meter with a time of 4:23 to qualify for the outdoor national meet, but decided not to run over the 800 meter.

Stepanski later went on to finish fourth in the nation at the outdoor national meet with her time of 2:07.09.

Stepanski has spent the past four years for the Cardinals and has put together a stellar career, though she is not done yet.

“Running for SVSU the past four years has been nothing short of amazing. I have had some of my best life experiences while competing for Saginaw and I only hope to leave my mark as an athlete when I leave. I have big dreams for the coming year, but am willing to put in the time and effort in order to reach those dreams,” Stepanski said.

Despite being a senior at SVSU, Stepanski has one more full year left of running cross country, indoor track and outdoor track during her fifth year. The All-American already has her eyes set on putting together an even better 2016-2017 campaign.

“My goals for next year are high, but not impossible. I want to be a National Champion. That is something that I am definitely going to work towards. I am looking to run some more competitive miles and 1,500’s so that may be my specialty this coming year,” Stepanski said.

“Overall, I won’t be disappointed. Whatever happens, happens. With the support of my coaches, family and friends I have already made it farther that I ever though was possible, but that will not stop me from wanting more.”

Jonny Zawacki can be reached via email at jzawacki@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5690.