BISMARCK, ND – The University of Mary men's and women's cross country teams will start the season by hosting the Marauders Invitational from McDowell Dam in Bismarck, ND. The meet will begin with the women's race at 4 pm and the men's race follows at 4:45 pm tomorrow, Sept. 5. The women's race covers 6000 meters with the men running an 8k. 

CONTINUED GROWTH
The men's cross country program boasts its largest roster in UMary's NCAA era (since 2006) with 19 members. The Marauders have 12 returners from last year's squad, including all three All-NSIC finishers. That trio of Caleb Hansen, Andrew Scheer, and Gideon Hammah all had meets where they scored the best time on the team.

Additionally, there are six freshmen on the squad and one transfer, sophomore Grant Koehnen from Wartburg College.

A NEW ERA
UMary's women's cross country team has been one of the best in the Northern Sun for many years. After finishing 18^th in the nation last season, UMary will now be without four of their top five runners from that squad, including All-American Alyssa Becker. Returning from the team's seven representatives at nationals are Terez Wycklendt and Hannah Westin.

Of the team's 22-person roster, only 6 are new to the team, a testament to the program's continuity.

ATHLETES TO WATCH
Sophomore Gideon Hammah was named UMary's NSIC Athlete to Watch after an impressive freshman campaign. Hammah won the Marauders Open and placed 19^th at the NSIC Championships last year.

On the women's side, Tori Stepka was named UMary's NSIC Athlete to Watch. Stepka spent her first season with the Marauders recovering from an injury and has never competed in cross country before. Head coach Chris Lessard is confident in her development over the course of last season.

PRESEASON POLLS
The men's team was picked to finish 3^rd in the NSIC in the preseason coaches' poll. That is the best preseason position for UMary since 2022.

The women's team was also picked 3^rd in the NSIC preseason coaches' poll. The team also came in at 29^th in FloTrack's National Preseason Rankings.

LOOKING BACK
After doubling their roster size last season, the UMary men's team place 4^th at the NSIC Championships. Caleb Hansen placed 5^th individually and was followed by Andrew Scheer in 15^th and Hammah in 19^th. At the NCAA Central Region Championships, the Marauders placed 16^th.

The women's team was the conference runner-up last season with Alyssa Becker winning the individual title. Kristine Kalthoff (3^rd) and Andrijana Fundak (6^th) also had strong finishes, marking the first time UMary had three runners in the top-6 since 2019. The Marauders went on to place 3^rd at the NCAA Central Region Championships and 18^th at the NCAA National Championships.

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