Cross Country Opens 2025 Campaign Friday Night

Women’s race slated for 5:45 p.m. start time, men’s to follow

8/28/2025 10:00:00 AM

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Illinois Wesleyan University men's and women's cross country teams are set to open their 2025 seasons at the Titan Opener this Friday, August 29. The race will be held at Maxwell Park in Normal, Ill. and serve as a triangular with Eureka College and Illinois College. The women's race is scheduled to start at 5:45 p.m. with the men's race to follow at 6:15 p.m.

Head coach Greg Huffaker enters his 21st season at the helm of the IWU cross country programs. Joining him for her second season is Jess Lambert, a graduate assistant for both the men's and women's cross country as well as the track and field teams.

Adriana Crabtree (Normal, Ill.-University High) is the top returner for the Titans, who enters her senior season on the heels of back-to-back NCAA Division III Cross Country National Championship appearances. Crabtree was the CCIW Individual Champion in 2023 and earned third place at the league championships in 2024. Also returning are sophomore Maddie Morgan (Glen Ellyn, Ill.-Glenbard West) and senior Brooke Nazos (Batavia, Ill.-Batavia) who each earned All-CCIW Second Team honors last season.

Additionally, the women's program landed the No. 7 spot in the United Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Midwest Region Preseason rankings, Aug. 26. IWU was one of four CCIW schools listed in the regional list with Wheaton leading the way at No. 5. Millikin and North Central were slated close behind the Titans at No. 8 and No. 9, respectively.

On the men's side, seniors Zack Daniel (Lake Barrington, Ill.-Barrington), Seth Hamerski (Mount Vernon, Ill.-Webber), Matt Lunsford (Plainfield, Ill.-Joliet West), Zach Marquardt (Minneapolis, Minn.-Washburn), and Griffin Owens (Peoria, Ill.-Peoria Notre Dame) will lead the charge for the Titans. Hamerski finished 37th in the CCIW Championships last season, the best finish amongst returners.

Friday's race time at the Titan Opener is set for 5:45 p.m. in Normal, Ill. with results made available on the cross country schedule pages of iwusports.com upon the conclusion of the meet.

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