LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East is ready to begin the 2024 women’s cross-country season as 16 teams will compete in hopes of being crowned United East Champion.
Last year, St. Mary’s (Md.) College edged out Lancaster Bible College to claim the title, but the Seahawks and Chargers will have plenty of competition en route to the conference finals.
All 16 teams are slated to compete at the United East Championships on November 2, 2024, hosted by St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
Check out the full schedule here: 2024 WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY SCHEDULE
St. Mary’s College of Maryland
(2023 Championship Finish: 1st - Score: 60)
The St. Mary’s (Md.) women won the 2023 United East Championships last season and head coach Reava Potter brings back an experienced squad looking for another podium finish. Senior Elizabeth Robey was a First Team All-Conference honoree after finishing 5th at the conference championships. Senior Brittney Douglas earned a Second Team All-Conference award after an 8th place finish at championships and a Runner of the Week last year while sophomore Maddison Kingsley also landed on the Second Team on the heels of a 13th place finish in 2023. The Seahawks open the 2024 season at the University of Richmond’s Spider Alumni Open, host the Seahawk Classic in September, and will attend the Division III Pre-Nationals meet in Terre Haute, Indiana before hosting the United East Championships on November 2.
Coach’s Outlook: “Both (men’s and women’s) teams are young and have a lot of talent. I am excited to see how well they adjust and how far both teams go with the new additions and the returners.” - Reava Potter
Lancaster Bible College
(2023 Championship Finish: 2nd - Score: 67)
After a runner-up finish in 2023, Lancaster Bible returns a solid core looking for another podium finish in head coach Katy Latta’s fourth season leading the Chargers. Sophomore Abby Ames earned Second Team All-conference honors after a 10th place finish at the United East Championships while classmate Lydia Goodling just missed an all-conference nod after finishing 22nd. Junior Mackenzie Baughman earned a Top 25 finish at the Championships as well in 2023. The Chargers open the season on August 30th at Goucher College’s Baltimore Metro Meet and host the Charger Invitational on September 20th.
Coach’s Outlook: “This season we are sad to lose Dana but look to rebuild with the team we have. We came together to earn Runner-Up honors last year and know it will take hard work and dedication to return to the podium.” - Katy Latta
Cairn University
(2023 Championship Finish: 3rd - Score: 101)
Jody Luther begins her second year as Head Coach with Cairn Cross Country with an experienced squad of women looking to maintain their high standards. Last season, the Highlanders finished 3rd at the United East Championships on the strength of sophomore Clarisse Hayden’s 2nd place finish (25:13.7) and United East Rookie of the Year award. Junior AyliGrace Munro finished 4th place at the United East Championships and ran 23:43.8 at regionals, setting a new program record for the 6k distance. Cairn opens the 2024 season at the Blue/Gold Invitational hosted by The College of New Jersey and will host the Highlander Invitational on campus September 5th.
Coach’s Outlook: “We expect our women's team to be competitive and hopefully maintain or improve their place at championships.” - Jody Luther
University of Valley Forge
(2023 Championship Finish: 4th - Score: 144)
Fresh off a fourth-place finish in 2023, and 2022 while representing the CSAC, Valley Forge women’s cross country has an experienced core returning and will look to first-years for depth in scoring in Samantha David’s first season at the helm of her alma mater. Junior Sofia Troland returns after a Third Team All-Conference award and a Top 15 finish in last year’s championship meet. Sophomore’s Mariah Lyon and Danalys Alvarado return from last year with championship meet experience as well. The Patriots open on August 30 at The College of New Jersey’s Blue/Golf Invitational and visit United East members Penn State Abington and Bryn Athyn College for their home invitationals.
Coach’s Outlook: “I believe this is going to be an awesome season for the UVF Patriots. We have a large freshmen class making up over half of our Men's and Women's teams, while still retaining some of our key runners. We look forward to seeing the continued growth of our program and how our program stands in the United East conference this season!” - Samantha David
Bryn Athyn College
(2023 Championship Finish: 5th - Score: 187)
Bryn Athyn women’s cross country will look to build upon some stronger numbers and have consistent performances as head coach Jesse King’s squad enters the 2024 season. Though Ciara Kiely (First Team All-Conference in 2023) has departed, the Lions will continue to have a squad that can score throughout the lineup and rebuild this year with some larger roster numbers. The Lions open the season on September 7 at Delaware Valley University’s Aggie Open and visit United East members St. Mary’s (Md.), Penn State Abington, Bryn Athyn College, and Cairn University’s home invitationals before the United East Championships in November.
Coach’s Outlook: “Women’s program will begin to rebuild with stronger numbers.” - Jesse King
Pennsylvania College of Technology
(2023 Championship Finish: 6th - Score: 188)
Tom Leeser begins his third season with Penn College and has an experienced squad looking to take a step up from last season’s 6th place finish. Sophomore Elaina Brady had a big debut season in 2023 finishing with a Top 15 at the United East Championships (14th; 29:22.9) last year en route to a Second Team All-Conference nod and posted a 26:30.8 time at the Mid-Atlantic Regionals. Senior Kayleigh Miller set a new top time at the United East Championships and sophomore Natalie Greiner ran 30:50.0 at the Mid-Atlantic Regionals. The Wildcats open on September 3rd with a meet against cross-town rival Lycoming College.
Coach’s Outlook: “Our women's team is looking for a bit more depth and aiming for a top 3 finish at the UE conference meet.” - Tom Leeser
Penn State Berks
(2023 Championship Finish: 8th - Score: 191)
Ryan Foster begins his second season with Penn State Berks cross country with a young team anticipating a strong finish in 2024. Senior Naomi Fay finished 11th at the 2023 United East Championships and had a top time of 27:03 throughout the season. Sophomore Heather Hoffman had a top time of 29:51 in 2023 and will continue to progress as the season proceeds. Berks will open the 2024 season at the Dutchmen Invitational hosted by Lebanon Valley College on September 7.
Coach’s Outlook: “We are still very young, however, that does not negate any expectations. Last year we finished five points out of a top five finish, which would have been our best finish since winning the conference title in 2017. We return Senior Naomi Fay, who should be in contention for a first team finish this fall. Heather Hoffman improved by over 20 minutes in the 6k last year and is poised for a breakout season. If the ladies can continue to improve this season, as they did last year, they should be able to improve their placing come championship weekend.” - Ryan Foster
Gallaudet University
(2023 Championship Finish: 9th - Score: 200)
Head Coach Byron Moore begins his 11th season at the helm of Gallaudet University looking to build upon last season’s 9th place finish. Junior Olivia Armstrong ran a 31:41 6k last season and will work with the teammates to continue their progress in the 2024 season. Gallaudet opens the season on September 13 at St. Mary’s (Md.) College’s Seahawk Classic and will visit Lancaster Bible for the Charger Invitational on September 20.
Coach’s Outlook: “Looking forward to having a fun season!” - Byron Moore
Penn State Abington
(2023 Championship Finish: 10th - Score: 214)
Michael Patterson begins his first season as head coach, after two seasons as an assistant, with Penn State Abington cross country. A young team will look to improve upon last season’s 10th place finish at the United East Championships with sophomore Mariah Moore being the top returner after a 35th place finish. A trio of sophomores (Nicole Hakman, Himani Bhave, and Yeva Amirkhanyan) and junior Sara Piana-Agostinetti round out the scoring squad for 2024. The Nittany Lions open 2024 at Lebanon Valley College’s Dutchmen Invitational on September 7th before hosting the Abington Invitational on September 21st.
Coach’s Outlook: “My first year as head coach and I am looking for a year with individual successes as well as team success.” - Michael Patterson
Cedar Crest College
(2023 Championship Finish: 11th - Score: 231)
The Cedar Crest Falcons will increase their roster size for 2024 and look to take a step up from the eleventh-place finish in 2023. Senior Jonquil Loeffelhoz just missed a Top 20 finish at the 2023 United East Championships en route to a Third Team All-Conference award but was a First Team honoree in 2021 and 2022 when running under the CSAC banner. The Falcons open the season on September 7th at Delaware Valley University’s Aggie Open and visit United East members Penn State Abington and Penn State Brandywine for their hosted meets this fall.
Coach’s Outlook: “I think we can really shock some people this year. We may only have 3 returners from last year's team, but we have a bunch of really talented freshmen coming in. Our returners are tough as nails and will make incredible leaders on our young team. Don’t sleep on the Falcons this year, because we plan on mixing it up with the top teams.” - Jaryd Flank
Penn State Harrisburg
(2023 Championship Finish: 12th - Score: 294)
Ryan Hart begins his first season as Head Coach with Penn State Harrisburg Cross Country after serving as an assistant coach prior. With a larger roster, and increased depth across the board, Harrisburg is looking to move up the standings from last season’s 14th place finish. The Nittany Lions open on September 6th at the Galen Piper XC Challenge on the campus of Shippensburg University.
Coach’s Outlook: “With the loss of our best runner, Sarah Gibbons, the program has acquired three new cross-country runners who are eager to take the title of Top Runner for Penn State Harrisburg. This will be a rebuilding year for the women's program as we look to bolster our women's roster in preparation for the following season.” - Ryan Hart
Rosemont College
(2023 Championship Finish: 13th - Score: 314)
With a new coach in 2024, Rosemont College is looking for consistency this upcoming season. Three first-year’s (Shona Willoughby, Cheyanne Willoughby, and Brooke Engelke) return from last year’s scoring squad that finished thirteenth at the United East Championships. The Ravens do not have a 2024 schedule posted at time of publishing but will work towards the United East Championships on November 2.
Coach’s Outlook:
Notre Dame of Maryland University
(2023 Championship Finish: NTS - Score: NTS)
Chris Humphrey begins his second season with Notre Dame of Maryland University with a full roster on the women’s side and a commitment to scoring in the Championship meet in 2024. Senior Holly Hand returns with sophomores Francisca Biann and Jemima Olanrewaju on the scoring team. First-years Amanda Grant and Arianna Arendt come from the west coast (Washington and Arizona, respectively) with solid prep times and will round out the roster. The Gators open the 2024 campaign at Goucher College’s Baltimore Metro Meet and will attend meets at St. Mary’s (Md.), Lancaster Bible, and Cairn University before the United East Championship Meet on November 2.
Coach’s Outlook: “NDMU will have enough women to field a team this year and are looking to improve drastically from last year.” - Chris Humphrey
Keystone College
Keystone College took the 2023 cross country season off but returned in 2024 with a small roster of individuals ready to compete. While a part of the CSAC, the Giants finished 2nd in 2019 and 4th in 2021 but had low roster numbers in 2022 and 2023. Three first-years, Marleigh Adams, Kelly Brown, and Aliyah Staff will work to rebuild the program alongside alumnus David Strum, who takes charge of the program in 2024. Keystone opens the season on August 30 at the Misericordia Invitational.
Coach’s Outlook: “After this recent recruiting season, I am looking forward to the upcoming Cross Country season. I am excited to continue rebuilding the program and rekindle the Keystone College Cross Country tradition." - David Strum
Penn State Brandywine
Entering their first season in the United East, and first in NCAA Division III, Penn State Brandywine will look to continue the success of the past decade in the USCAA as the Lions jump up to NCAA play under first-year head coach Myeisha Matos. The Nittany Lions won their conference championship last year and returned two members of that team (Madison Ollis, Sr. & Esha Thawani, Jr.). A new and rejuvenated roster will lead Brandywine into NCAA play beginning on September 21 at the Penn State Abington Invitational. Brandywine hosts their home invitational on October 5.
Coach’s Outlook: “As first year head coach and as a new member I am looking to transform our program and add key runners in the near future as we start our journey in the United East.” - Myeisha Matos
Saint Elizabeth University
Head Coach Evan Collier begins his first year leading Saint Elizabeth cross country after leading the track & field program in the spring. Last season, the Eagles didn’t have enough individuals to earn a team score but five individuals (Carissa Campos, Mya Cowans, Mya Davis, Amelia Stevens, Ashley Torres) represented the school throughout the season. Though no roster has been posted at the time of publication, the Eagles will continue to build their program in 2024.
Coach’s Outlook: “We’re excited for the upcoming cross-country season with our young and hungry team. While we’re still building experience, the enthusiasm and commitment our runners bring to each practice are promising. We’re focused on growth, both individually and as a team, and I believe we’ll see that hard work pay off as the season progresses.” - Evan Collier
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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, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Brandywine, 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.