Track and field placed among the best teams in Division III in 2024. (Sam Powers | Staff Photographer)

After the women’s and men’s cross country teams finished 10th and 15th, respectively, at the 2024 NCAA Championship and completed a strong outdoor track season, the team will look to continue their success in the 2025 season. 

After graduating four runners last year, including All-American Cullen Capuano, the men’s team will be looking to senior Conor Daly, who placed 119th at nationals, as well as fellow senior Alexander Bullard and junior Will Liu, who both competed at the 2024 national meet, to lead the men’s team this season.

The women’s team also graduated their top cross country runner, Abby Patterson, as well as her twin sister Julia Patterson and Sophie Bekins, who also competed for WashU at the 2024 D-III Championship. The team is returning a pair of sophomores — Lucinda Laughlin, who finished just seven seconds behind Patterson in the 6,000-meter race to claim the second spot on the Bears’ championship squad, and Lauren Raley, who competed at last year’s national meet. The team will also be returning seniors Jillian Heth and Katie Rector, who placed fourth and fifth for the Bears in 2024, respectively.

Despite both teams’ graduating top runners from last year, both are filled with returning talent and poised for a good run at the 2025 NCAA Championships.