GAMBIER, Ohio- After a long awaited summer, the Kenyon College women's cross country team enters the 2025 season with a blend of well-experienced returners and developing talent eager to make their mark in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC). After showing consistent progress, the Owls will look to carry their string of strong finishes into a season that offers not only familiar challenges, but fresh opportunities.
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2024 Review
The Owls placed sixth at the NCAC Championship, matching the program's standing from the previous year, and closed the campaign with a 26th-place finish out of 39 teams at the NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional Championship.
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Coaching Staff
Head Coach
Kirk Shellhouse enters his third season guiding the Kenyon women's cross country program. Since taking the helm, Shellhouse has notched six top-10 finishes and has sent two women to the NCAC All-Conference team. He will be assisted by
John Gogle, who is in his third season.
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NCAC Preseason Poll
The NCAC coaches do not vote during the preseason. Instead, they vote a week prior to the conference championship race. Looking back, the conference coaches voted Kenyon to finish sixth, securing 173 points, edging The College of Wooster (174) and Hiram College (217).
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Returning All-Conference Honorees
The 21-person All-NCAC teams are decided at the NCAC Championship race at the conclusion of each season. Third-year runner
Olivia Ide is the only All-Conference honoree returning to the 2025 squad. She placed 21st of 79 runners at the 2023 NCAC Championship. Last year, Ide led the team in both the NCAC Championship and NCAA Regional Championship, posting respective times of 24:13 and 23:46.
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Returning Statistical Leaders
Ide looks to lead the team, notching a top three finish amongst her teammates at five races, three of those being first place finishes. The junior etched her top finish at the NCAA Regional Championship, finishing at 23:46.
Anna Brown returns as a steady veteran presence. A versatile runner across distances, Brown posted a 4k time of 15:36 to earn a fourth-place finish, added a 20:26 mark in the 5k at the Jenna Strong Fall Classic, and recorded her career-best 6k of 22:36 at the NCAA Division III Regional Championship, all in 2023.
Penny Griffioen, returning for her junior year, was a crucial piece of the Owls success. She cracked the team's top five finishers in five races, notching two top times. Her fastest finish comes at 24:25, which she secured at the Lehigh Paul Short Run. Second-year
Lucie Prior looks to continue her great start as an Owl, cruising to a top-four finish five times, with one of those being a first place finish.
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 women's cross country throughout the season via the following links:
