KIRKLAND, WA - The Cascade Collegiate Conference has announced the Northwest University men's and women's cross country teams as No. 7 in the CCC preseason poll. 

With the loss of two of the best athletes the university has ever seen, Micah Murphy and Kaylea Hartman, the Eagles have shifted down a single spot compared to last year. Still, there is no doubt the teams will see success, as the men's roster consists of nine returners and the women's, seven.

"We are really looking forward to the upcoming season," says Head Coach Mark Mandi. "While we graduated some of the best runners in our program's histories (Micah and Cameron on the men's side, Kaylea on the women's side), God has provided a strong core and standouts in our recruiting class that should make immediate impacts."

Nearly half of the team's roster competed in the 2023 CCC Cross Country Championships, giving the Eagles a promising season ahead. Of the returners, Levi Nichols and Jarron Ransford led the Eagles in the men's 8k, aiding the Eagles in a 7th place finish. For the women, Rachel Elliot and Marrissa Guthrie provided the fastest times in their 6th place team finish. 

Mark Mandi continues, "We hope that this season will showcase a tight-knit group, not just around our NU community but also at races. Our first three races will be relatively local, two at Fort Steilacoom in Lakewood and another at Hovander Homestead Park in Ferndale, so that usually brings a lot of family and friends to support."

The pilot race of the 2024 season starts on Aug. 31 in Fort Steilacoom, WA, hosted by the University of Puget Sound.