The Charger Men’s and Women’s Cross Country teams enter the 2024 season with excitement, according to Senior Richie Johnston.

The 2023 season featured strong senior performances on both the men’s and women’s sides, with Liz Wamsley ’24 and Alex Mitchell ’24 leading their teams to sixth and fourth place finishes in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. 

Mitchell placed second in the meet and Wamsley won the meet, becoming the first female Charger to win an individual cross country title since Hillsdale joined the G-MAC in 2017. 

The Chargers will debut their new course at Hayden Park this Friday against Findlay University after four years without hosting a home cross country meet. The college is also set to host the Great Midwest Athletic Conference meet this October.

“It’s going to be really special for all our seniors,” Johnston said. “It’ll be the first time for anyone on the team to race at Hayden, and I know that the seniors have really been looking forward to it, especially with having the conference championship at Hayden Park.”

Sophomore Savannah Fraley said she sees a promising year ahead.

“Last season, the girl’s team really benefited from Liz and her leadership, but I think that this year, it is pretty clear that she has passed down that trait to everyone else,” Fraley said. “We have good chemistry.”

Senior Richie Johnston said he agrees with Fraley about last season and added that the young men’s team will foster excitement for race day. 

“A lot of people have a lot of energy, and I think that will really help,” said Johnston. 

Coach R.P. White, the head coach for the Men and Women’s Cross Country teams, said he has a similar outlook for both teams.

“I think we should be in a good spot on both sides, with returning athletes and, on the women’s side, some pretty big help coming from the newcomers,” Coach White said.