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Kenyon College Athletics

MXC
Marty Fuller

2025 men's cross country season preview

GAMBIER, Ohio – The Kenyon College men's cross country team looks to improve on its promising results in conference and national events in 2024 with a cast of key returning contributors. The Owls will kick off thier 2025 campaign at home on Friday, August 29, combining a mix of seven experienced seniors, one junior, five sophomores, and eight first-years looking to step right into the mix. 

2024 Review
Kenyon placed sixth in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Championship meet and took 20th place at the NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional Championship, the team's best finish in the event since 2013. 

Coaching Staff
Kirk Shellhouse returns as the head coach of the Owls' men's and women's cross country squads for his third season. During his tenure, he's sent four men to the NCAC All-Conference team and has racked up seven top-10 finishes. He will join assistant John Gogle, who is also in his third season with the program.

NCAC Preseason Poll
Although the NCAC coaches do not vote for preseason rankings, they do vote a week prior to the conference championship race. Looking back on 2024, the Owls were voted to finish fifth, tallying 48 points. 

Returning All-Conference Honorees
The 21-person All-NCAC teams are decided at the NCAC Championship race. Last season, Henry Rodrigues, now a senior, earned that honor and stands as the lone returning all-conference runner for Kenyon. At the 2024 NCAC meet, he clocked in at 26:59.30 and earned a spot on the All-NCAC third team.

Returning Statistical Leaders
Senior Joshua Breard holds the Owls' fastest 8,000-meter performance in 2024, speeding to a 25:48.70 time at the All-Ohio Intercollegiate Classic last September. Five times in 2024 did Breard finish inside the top-three in team standings at events, leading the way three times. Charlie Blackmer, returning for his sophomore campaign, cracked the team's top three finishers four times, with his fastest run coming at the All-Ohio as well, finishing at 25:51.60.

Schedule Overview
  • Season and home opener: Friday, August 29, hosting the Port Kenyon Opener (6:00 p.m.)
  • NCAC Championship: Saturday, November 1, hosted by Kenyon College (11:00 a.m) 
  • NCAA Regional Championship: Saturday, November 15 (11:00 a.m.)
How to Follow
Fans can follow Kenyon men's cross country throughout the season via the following links: 
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