The men’s cross country team competes in the fall of 2023. (Jamie Nicholson | Student Life)

At last year’s National Championship, the Washington University men’s and women’s cross-country teams finished 17th and 13th respectively, each led by an All-American: then-senior Cullen Capuano on the men’s side and then-senior Alexandra Blake for the women. For Capuano, who is returning for a fifth year as a graduate student, the finish line in Pennsylvania was not the end of the road for his running career in St. Louis.

Capuano, who has what head coach Jeff Stiles describes as “experiential leadership” and a “blue-collar lunch pail work ethic” will be joined by senior Matthew Hornung as key figures on the team. Hornung is fresh off of a 10K victory at the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championships last spring and ran a time of 25:46.2 in the 8K at last year’s cross-country nationals. Junior Conor Daly, who ran a time of 25:54.3 in the 8K last season, could also make a big impact for the Bears program this fall.

“I think those three guys bring back a great amount of success,” Stiles said.

For the women’s program, seniors Abby Patterson, who placed 20th at the UAA Championships and competed at nationals, and Julia Patterson, who finished 12th at the UAA Championships and 61st at the NCAA Championships, will offer experience for the Bears’ squad. 

The women’s cross country team will look to build off last season’s 13th place finish at nationals. (Jamie Nicholson | Student Life)

Sophomore Vivienne Larson, who finished 79th as the only first-year to compete for the Bears at cross-country nationals last season, will look to contribute, as will junior Katie Rector, who placed 17th at the UAA Championship, and sophomore Jillian Heth, who placed 19th in the UAA last season. Transfer student Laura Behr, who previously ran at Otterbein University, will look to make an impact for the Bears in St. Louis.

Stiles is also confident in this fall’s first-year recruiting class.

“The first year classes on both sides bring great talent, attitude, and motivation,” he said. “We’re never looking to lean on first years for immediate contribution. But I am confident this group of first years will contribute to the culture as a whole.”

Going into the fall, the WashU squad has used the summer to build their fitness to get ready to handle the strenuous training and races of the cross-country season.

For Stiles, the goal of summer training is for each runner to “[execute] becoming the best runner they can [be]” so they can “com[e] in healthy [and] fit.”

Stiles added that one of the goals for the season is a return to the podium at this year’s NCAA Championships on Nov. 23. The women’s team last won the championship in 2018, the same year the men finished as national runners-up, their highest finish in program history. 

“I am really excited for this team and I truly believe we are prepared to have our best cross-country season on both sides in a couple years,” he said.

Both teams will begin their season on Sep. 7 with an Alumni Intrasquad Meet and begin collegiate competition on Sep. 21 at the John McNichols Invite in Terre Haute, Indiana. 

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Starting Line before the team’s rosters and schedule were posted. This article was updated on Aug. 16, 2024 to include additional reporting.