TIFFIN -- After finishing fifth and seventh (women and men, respectively) at the 2025 conference championships, the Heidelberg University Cross Country teams are eager to continue climbing the ranks this season.  

In Simpson's second year leading the Student Princes, both the men's and women's teams improved their spots from the 2024 OAC Cross Country Championships. Now in his third season, he welcomes 19 freshmen, bringing the roster to 44 runners. With the largest team since 2015, the Student Princes are looking to make a mark in the OAC. 

THE COACHES:
The Berg welcomes Graduate Assistant Coach Tanner McMain for his first season with both the Cross Country and Track & Field Programs. A '26 graduate of Trine University, where McMain ran cross country and track and field all four years. 

WOMEN:
Senior Ariana Hewitt returns from an injury that cut her junior season short. Hewitt ran a personal best 6k of 27:08.2 her freshman year. Despite missing time, she looks to lead the Student Princes on and off the course.

Senior Emily Pullano, looking to build off her 6k time of 24:51.5 last year, returns to lead the team for her final season.

Also returning is senior Caitlin Schwartz, who ran a season best 6k of 24:26.2, and a 5k of 20:39.7 during the 2025 season. 

Looking to build off of a strong 2025 season is junior Emma Hintze. Hintze ran a career-best 6k at the OAC Championships in a time of 25:09.4.

Sophomore Addison Horner, who finished fourth for the team at the OAC Championships, looks to continue making an impact. Horner ran a personal best at the Championships at 25:02.9.

The women's team will return four sophomores, one junior, and three seniors. 

MEN:
Senior Tyler Huff will be returning this season after setting a new career best 8k time at the DIII Regional Championships with a time of 26:08.5, and a career best of 16:17.4 in the 5k at the Tiffelberg Invite. Huff looks forward to closing out his third year with more success.

After setting a career mark of 16:02.2 in the 5k at the Tiffelberg Invite and a 26:20.3 time in the 8k at the OWU Invitational, senior Joe Brewster looks to crush those numbers and set new personal bests. 

Eric Barber makes his return for the Student Princes for his senior year, after posting a career-best 5k time of 17:09.2 at the Tiffelberg Invite last season. 

Juniors Carson Elchert and Austin Musilli return to the course after setting new career bests in the 8k last season, 28:41.8 and 29:55.1, respectively. 

The Berg looks forward to welcoming back sophomore Dean Morrison. Morrison built a strong freshman campaign, setting his personal best in the 5k at theTiffelberg Invite with a time of 16:11.0, and reached a best of 26:32.4 in the 8k at the DIII Regional Championships. Morrison also achieved the feat of being the first freshman to cross the finish line at the OAC Championships. 

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

THE SCHEDULE: 
The Student Princes will kick off the 2026 season on Friday, Sept. 4th, at the Otterbein Invitational. The following week, Friday, Sept. 11th, the team will travel to East Lansing, MI for the 2026 Auto-Owners Spartan Invitational. This year, the OAC Championship will be hosted by Baldwin Wallace at Lorain County Community College and will take place on Saturday, Oct. 31st. 

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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