TIFFIN -- After a year of transition under new head coach Daniel Simpson, the Heidelberg University Cross Country team enters the 2025 season with momentum.

In Simpson's first year at the helm, both the men's and women's teams finished eighth at the 2024 OAC Cross Country Championships. Now in his second season, the former two-time National Qualifier welcomes 24 newcomers – 22 freshmen and two transfers – doubling last year's roster of 22. With what is believed to be the largest incoming class in program history, the Student Princes are looking to turn heads across the OAC. 

THE COACHES:
The Berg welcomes Graduate Assistant Coach Andrew Cates for his first season with both the Cross Country and Track & Field Programs. A '24 graduate of Wittenberg University, Cates previously coached at his alma mater, where he mentored 18 All-Conference performers and five National Qualifiers. Furthermore, he coached at Vandalia-Butler High School and Adrian College, developing multiple State Champions and All-Conference honorees. 

WOMEN:
Returning for her Junior year, Caitlin Schwartz reached a career best 6k time of 24:59 at the OAC Championships and a career best in the 5k at the Jenna Strong CC Fall Classic of 20:36.

At the Tiffelberg Open, Senior Maddy McCall marked a 5k PR of 21:18, and Junior Emily Pullano set her best 5k time of 20:43.

The women's team will return two sophomores, four juniors, and three seniors. 

Vanessa Shanaman, returns to the team after an injury last season, looking to build off her success. In the 2023 season, Shanaman recorded a personal best of 19:33 in the 5k, and a 23:45 in the 6k. 

MEN:
Senior Trenton Hole will be returning this season after setting a new career best 5k time at the Tiffelberg Open with a time of 16:16, and a career best of 26:29 in the 8k at the OAC Championships.

After setting a career mark of 16:19 in the 5k at the Tiffelberg Open and a 26:56 time in the 8k at the Jenna Strong CC Fall Classic, senior Hudson Black looks to crush those numbers and set new personal bests. 

Eric Barber makes his return for the Student Princes for his junior year, after posting a career-best 8k time of 29:41.7 at the OAC Championships and setting a personal best of 17:43.6 in the 5k at the Tiffelberg Open last season. 

Junior Joe Brewster, clocked a 16:10 in the 5k with a 13th-place finish at the Tiffelberg Open. He followed that up with a career best of 26:46 in the 8k at the OAC Championships. 

The Berg looks forward to welcoming back sophomore Jackson Huff. Huff built a strong freshman campaign, setting his personal best in the 6k at the Beaver Dam Invite with a time of 22:10.9, and reached a best of 27:22.7 in the 8k at the Jenna Strong CC Fall Classic. 

The men's team will return three sophomores, three juniors, and two seniors.

THE SCHEDULE: 
The Student Princes will kick off the 2025 season on Friday, Aug. 29th, at the Beaver Dam Invitational. The following week, Friday, Sept. 5th, the team will co-host the Tiffelberg Open alongside Tiffin University at the Paradiso Sports Complex. This year, the OAC Championship is hosted by Otterbein in Westerville and will take place on Saturday, Nov. 1st. 

QUOTES FROM SIMPSON: 
"We're looking forward to a Fall full of fresh faces that are meshing well and impacting our program,  with savvy veterans in place to show them the way. On our women's side, returners Maddy McCall, Emily Pullano, Caitlin Schwartz, and Vanessa Shanaman will lead us up front while established quartet, Joe Brewster, Trenton Hole, Hudson Black, and Jackson Huff are poised to do the same on the men's side."

HOW TO FOLLOW
BergAthletics.com will have up-to-the-minute information on schedule cancellations and alterations all season long.  Additionally, links for live stats and live video (when available) will be published as they become accessible. Follow @BergAthletics on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Facebook.
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