WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.. -- Penn College men's and women's cross country teams have high expectations for the 2025 season as the men's team filled with returning talent look to become United East Champions for the third consecutive season while the women's look to improve on their top four finish a season ago with newcomers trying to prove themselves. The Wildcats' season gets underway on Saturday at the Lebanon Valley Dutchmen Invitational.

Men's Cross Country
Last season: 1 of 11 at United East Conference Championship, 22 of 29 at NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship.
Coach: Tom Leeser, fourth season, two-time UE Coach of the Year.
Top returnees: (last season's 8K personal-best times) Senior Mitchell Campbell of Riegelsville (26:43); junior Chase Ebeling of Bellefonte (28:25); sophomore Ethan Knapp of Franklin (28:25); junior Holden Furey of Williamsport (28:41); junior Jacob Parker of Weatherly (28:56); senior Aaron Guerrisky of South Williamsport (29:33); sophomore Owen Troop of Lancaster (34:32); sophomore Matthew Wheeland of Spring Mills (32:33).
Key losses: Alec Rees, Matt Woolcock, Noah Bowers.
Top newcomers: Sophomore Ben Causak of Lebanon; freshman Olivier Galicki of Dingsmans Ferry; freshman Ben Heym of West Chester; sophomore Nathan Love of Williamsport, Maryland; freshman JJ Pencil of Bedford; sophomore Jackson Small of Linglestown.
Outlook: Losses of last year's UE first-teamers Rees and Woolcock, and third-teamer Bowers will be felt, but the squad returns first-teamers in Campbell and Knapp, all-conference second-team members Guerrisky, Furey and Ebeling, and a third-teamer in Parker, making for a solid nucleus.
 
"The 2023 and 2024 men's teams have raised the expectations for our program. We have benefitted from having quality runners, strong work ethics and good leadership. It will be important for several individuals, either returners or newcomers, to step up and into the holes left by some key losses. We will strive for improvement over the course of the season with the ultimate goals being another conference title and a strong regional finish," Leeser said.

Inside the UE: Penn College is the two-time defending champion and is the co-favorite to win along with St. Mary's (Md.) College, according to a preseason poll. Thirteen teams are competing, with Penn State Brandywine hosting the championship on Nov. 1. The NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship is set for Nov. 15 and hosted by Dickinson College at Big Spring High School in Newville.

Women's Cross Country
Last season: 4 of 13 at United East Conference Championship, 29 of 30 at NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship.
Coach: Tom Leeser, fourth season.
Top returnees: (last season's 6K personal-best times) Junior Elaina Brady of McConnellsburg (26:29); junior Natalie Greiner of Mount Joy (30:51); junior Adelyn McDermott of Williamsport (35:00); senior Isabella Telford of Greensburg (37:15).
Key losses: Lillian DePew, Karleigh Hunter, Isabella Kerlin, Kayleigh Miller.
Top newcomers:  Junior Alexis Durn of Spring Mills, freshman Ellie Miller of Hughesville, freshman Gwynn Johnson of Staunton, Virginia.

Outlook: "Elaina (a UE first-teamer) is our top returning female. Our hope is that she will continue to improve and place well at UE Championships again this fall. We lost some quality runners due to graduation and due to demanding class schedules. We are adding some new faces who have solid high school experience. If they can contribute, our women should have a positive season," Leeser said.

Inside the UE: St. Mary's (Md.) College is the four-time defending champion and is favored to repeat, according to a preseason poll (Penn College was picked fourth). Fourteen teams are competing, with Penn State Brandywine hosting the championship Nov. 1. The NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship will be held Nov. 15 and hosted by Dickinson College at Big Spring High School in Newville.