After finishing 19th at the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Championships last fall, the Hillsdale men’s cross country team is getting ready to finish the 2022 season on an even higher note. 

Freshmen Seth Jankowski, Mark Masaka, Nathaniel Osborne, and Emil Schlueter replace three graduated seniors. . 

“We are very excited to start,” Coach R.P. White said. “The returners have worked very hard this summer, running more miles than ever before. The leadership from our upperclassmen paired with some young talent makes for an exciting start to our season.” 

Junior Alex Mitchell is  optimistic about how his teammates have improved during the offseason.

“I think every team I’ve ever been on has said ‘this is our year’ or ‘we’re full of potential,’” Mitchell said. “This year feels different. Nobody on our team has ever been an all-conference or all-region runner, but each and every one of us has a deep seeded belief that it is possible.”

Junior Micah Vanderkooi is also excited for his third season on the team.  season. 

“The team is looking very strong, especially with the returners having put in a  good summer of training,” Vanderkooi said. “We have the best environment on a team that I have been a part of.” 

According to Vanderkooi, his teammates are excited and motivated to accomplish their long term goal of reaching nationals this year. 

The Chargers begin their season at the Comet Open on Thursday, Sept. 1, hosted by Olivet College Comets. Following that meet is the Calvin Knight Invite on Saturday, Sept.10, and the Lansing Invitational on Friday, Sept. 30. 

The Chargers will run another three meets in October, including the Lucian Rose Invite in Kenosha, Wisconsin, all in preparation for GMAC Championships in Findlay, Ohio on November 5th.