LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East will host one of the largest women's cross country championships in the country this upcoming fall as it welcomes 16 teams to the championship site. Cairn University will be this year's host with the meet set for October 28.
Last year, the Valley Forge Patriots were crowned the winners of the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Championship with the Patriot's Hannah Kopec tabbed as Runner of the Year after placing first. The United East title went to St. Mary's College of Maryland for the second-straight year as the Seahawk's Madelaine Blaisdell took first place and Runner of the Year honors.
Check out all 16 programs here:
St. Mary’s College of Maryland
Reava Potter begins her 3rd season at the helm of the St. Mary’s cross country team and has an experienced squad returning looking to defend their 2022 United East Championship. Both Elizabeth Robey (28:23.84) and Brittney Douglas (27:48.77) return after picking up Second Team All-Conference awards last season. Stacie Lally will also return for a senior season to strengthen the scoring five.
Coach’s Outlook: “We have a lot of new faces that will add to the talent we have on this team. I am excited to see how the returners and newcomers step up and contribute to our overall team placement.”
University of Valley Forge
Valley Forge won the institution’s first ever NCAA conference championship last season as the women’s cross country team won the CSAC Championship Meet. Sofia Troland returns after a 6th place finish and First Team All-Conference honors while teammate Leah Yost placed 8th and earned Second Team All-Conference honors. Hannah Thomas was also on the Second Team All-Conference and returns after a 14th place finish in last year’s championship.
Coach’s Outlook: “We are really excited to continue to build on what the ladies did last year. With great individual achievements compounded by a team championship we are looking forward to a new challenge this fall!”
Bryn Athyn College
Head Coach Jesse King (10th season) returns an experienced team in 2023 after a 3rd place finish in last season’s CSAC Championships. Led by Ciara Kiely (First Team All-Conference, 4th place in 2022) the Lions will look to add to the scoring five buoyed by juniors Lily DeAngelis and Reilly Ward; both of whom finished Top 25 in last season’s championship.
Coach’s Outlook: “Looking to add depth and consistency in 2023. Ciara Kiely should compete for a championship.”
Cairn University
Brian Jennings enters his 2nd season at the helm of the Cairn Cross Country program with a young team after last season’s runner-up finish at the 2022 CSAC Championships. Leading the squad is sophomore AlyiGrace Munro who finished in 2nd place in her debut at the 2022 CSAC Championships en route to CSAC Rookie of the Year and First Team All-Conference honors. Jordan Harvey returns for a senior year after a 16th place finish in 2022 with classmate Amanda Schlabach also clocking a Top 20 finish.
Coach’s Outlook: “We are in a building year and cannot wait to see how well they do!”
Cedar Crest College
Jaryd Flank begins his first season in charge at Cedar Crest and looks to continue the development of the Falcons program. Returning this year is junior Jonquil Loeffelholz who finished in 3rd at last year’s CSAC Championships and is the school record holder in the 10,000meter and 5,000meter on the track. Carolyn Weiss and Madison Cressley add senior leadership as well as Top 20 finishes at last year’s CSAC Championship.
Coach’s Outlook: “This year we have quite the diversity in experience on the team, from women who have been running their whole lives to those just starting the sport for the first time this year. What I know for sure is we will be prepared to battle every single week and do everything we can to be one of the top teams in this conference.”
Saint Elizabeth University
David Ringwood begins his first season at Saint Elizabeth heading up the cross country and track and field programs. He inherits a rebuilding program who is looking to compete in the United East Conference. Senior Isabelle Mellin returns having led the Eagles at each meet last year including an 11th place finish, and Second Team All-Conference honor, at last year’s CSAC Championships.
Coach’s Outlook: “Heading into our first year with a sponsored Track & Field program, I am excited for the team to experience the effects of a year-round focus. Cross Country will be an opportunity for this young program to acclimate to all that is new (coach, teammates, conference) while maintaining a growth mindset through each meet. The energy is high as we welcome first-year athletes to establish what should be a monumental year in Saint Elizabeth University XCTF program history.”
Notre Dame of Maryland University
After a one-year pause, cross country returns to Notre Dame of Maryland University led by new coach Chris Humphrey. Two runners from previous seasons return to provide experience to a restarted program. Juniors Laura Longeway and Holly Hand return with Longeway finishing 12th in the 2021 CSAC Championships; picking up Second Team All-Conference honors.
Coach’s Outlook: “I am excited for Cross Country to make its return to NDMU. I want our team to build its culture while improving every single week.”
Pennsylvania College of Technology
With a small squad in 2023, the Penn College Wildcats will look to individuals to stand out as the season progresses. Senior Skyelar Splain finished 16th at last season’s United East Championships in her first season of running. Sophomore Isabella Telford returns looking to break into the Top 25 in her third season.
Coach’s Outlook: “Skyelar Splain enters her second year of competitive running and has an opportunity to be among the top runners in the conference.”
Clarks Summit University
The Clarks Summit University women’s cross country team finished in 3rd place in 2022’s CSAC Championships and look to maintain a strong squad in the first year of the United East. Head Coach Matt Ford takes over in 2023 with junior Caden Laidlaw leading the way after last season’s seventh place finish and First Team All-Conference honors. The Defenders open the season on Friday, September 1 at the Misericordia University Invitational.
Rosemont College
Rosemont will look to continue building their cross country programs in 2023 as the Ravens look for improvement over the course of the season as head coach John Solewin begins his first year at the helm. Senior Jodi Kaiser finished Top 20 in the 2022 CSAC Championships and will provide senior leadership throughout the squad. The Ravens open the season on Friday, September 1 at the Misericordia University Invitational.
Coach’s Outlook: “Eagerly anticipating the opportunity to step into my new role as coach and collaborate with a group of exceptionally skilled runners. Enthusiastically looking forward to contributing to the resurgence of Rosemont's Cross Country team!”
Keystone College
Senior Alexandra Thornton is the lone member of the Keystone cross country team this season. She’ll look forward to improving as the season progresses and carry the flag for the Giants in 2023.
Coach’s Outlook: “Alexandra will look for improvement as the year goes along and hopes to peak at the Championships.”
Lancaster Bible College
Led by Katy Latta (formerly Brake), the Lancaster Bible College women’s cross country team is looking to improve upon their 3rd place finish from a season ago. Returning to the team is junior Dana Keller who was the United East Rookie of the Year and 4th place finish at the United East Championships. Jurnee Acosta just missed out on a Top 25 finish and looks to have a strong senior season.
Coach’s Outlook: “We had a small squad last year. This year we have an exciting group of first year runners joining Dana Keller & Jurnee Acosta. With the addition of these women, we are excited to see great improvement and perhaps the start of something exciting for Lancaster Bible's Women's Cross Country Program.”
Penn State Abington
Penn State Abington has a strong returning runner and looks to bolster the team with first years who can help the scoring five. Senior Brielle Worrall returns after a 10th place finish and Second Team All-Conference honor at the 2022 United East championship.
Coach’s Outlook: “Brielle is returning as the team captain and our top runner from last year. 2022 was her first year of competitive running and she progressed steadily throughout the year. Returning as our team captain, we will look to her to be our leader and push the newcomers to the same success she had in her first year of competition.”
Gallaudet University
Head Coach Byron Moore begins his 9th season at the helm of Gallaudet Cross Country with an experienced team in 2023. Senior Cassidy LeBaron looks to improve on her Top 25 finish in 2022 while Esmeralda Baez, Jasmine Mendoza, and Alexys Santiago all finished the United East Championships in the Top 35. Olivia Armstrong and Olivia Anderson round out the experienced scoring five for the Bison.
Coach’s Outlook: “Looking to surprise the conference this season.”
Penn State Berks
Ryan Foster takes over as head coach of the Penn State Berks Women’s Cross Country Program, hoping to improve the squad’s 4th-place finish in last year’s Championship. Naomi Fay earned a Second Team All-Conference nod in 2022 and looks to improve in her junior season.
Coach’s Outlook: “This season will be a rebuilding year for Berks. Junior and All-United East Second Team, Naomi Fay returns for 2023. Incoming Transfer Kira Angstedt joins the program after two successful years at Alvernia. First Year head coach Ryan Foster and Assistant, former 2x United East Conference Champion, Michelle (Kiss) Foster, see the potential for everyone to have career best times. The goal is to keep everyone healthy and to use each race as a building block for the next.”
Penn State Harrisburg
Head Coach Kadine Crowder begins her second full season at the head of the cross country programs at Penn State Harrisburg and returns a couple of key contributors as the Lions are looking forward to improving upon last year’s 5th place finish in the United East Championships.
Junior Tatayana Gibson had a strong 2022 season finishing in 3rd place overall at the United East Championships and securing her second First Team All-Conference honor. Sophomore Madison Parks will lead a deep sophomore class who look to improve and round out the scoring five throughout the fall.
Coach’s Outlook: “I am very excited about this season. The incoming class and the returners are poised to really show what they have to offer and I can't wait to see it.”
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The United East boasts 17 NCAA Division III full member institutions which include: Bryn Athyn College, Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Clarks Summit University, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Harrisburg, Rosemont College, Saint Elizabeth University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, University of Valley Forge, and Wilson College. For more information, please visit gounitedeast.com.