Head coach Chelsea France (center) speaks to the team at a competition earlier in the season.

When Chelsea France took over as the cross country head coach in December 2022, she inherited a program that was coming off a 10th-place finish in the Patriot League championship.

Two years later, when the Raiders stepped on the course to compete in the conference tournament in Easton, Pa., most rivals were expecting a similar result from Colgate, a program that for years had been fighting to rise in the standings. 

But that’s not what happened. Colgate pulled off a performance that hadn’t been witnessed from the maroon-and-white in a long time, and underscored the program’s swift and impressive turnaround.

On the men’s side, the Raiders finished fourth out of 10 — their best outcome since 2005 – and best-ever since the league expanded to 10 teams in 2013. The women, meanwhile, grabbed the eighth spot out of 10, which was a huge achievement for a young team where six out of the top seven runners are first-years.

When the championships wrapped up, France gathered the men’s team and made it crystal-clear that the Raiders had achieved something special.

“I told them none of this should have happened,” she said. “The team was dead last two years ago. We competed against bigger programs and still found a way. The men’s side made the impossible possible.”

Her message for the women was full of congratulations and a reminder of the challenges they overcame as a team made mostly of first-years and sophomores. 

“I told them before the race that I didn't care what the result was. It was a matter of I’m extremely proud of them,” France said. “The women have been through a lot. With so many first-years, it’s practically a brand new squad. I told them they have really stayed on track and stayed committed.”

And for those in a Colgate uniform, everyone was elated and proud of each other’s success, knowing the program has come a long way in a short time. 

“The team’s performance was spectacular,” said Owen Holland ’25, a co-captain on the men’s team. “This is the fastest team Colgate has ever had and the team finished the highest since the conference realignment.” 

Kara Shepard ’25, a co-captain and one of two seniors on the women’s team, said the women finished just nine points from the No. 6 spot. 

“The team is really young this year, so it’s really exciting to see such a young team do so well,” she said. “As a senior, I’m excited to see where this team goes and how they continue to grow and carry on Colgate’s legacy. We should be proud of our accomplishments this season, but also excited for what’s to come.” 

Owen Holland (left) and John Griffith (right) compete in the Patriot League championship in Easton, Pa., on Nov. 2.

John Griffith ’26 said he knew the team was capable of achieving the fourth spot. But to pull it off was another story. 

“Earlier in the season, we were not ranked as high,” he said. “However, we’ve made steady improvements and kept a strong focus since then. Every one of my teammates showed up and gave their all, which makes me extremely proud.”

The reasons for the program’s successful 2024 season are several. 

France and student-athletes said strong leadership, work ethic, and a strong culture were huge reasons for the program’s dramatic turnaround.

When discussing the improved culture, Holland pointed to how runners focus on a team-first mentality, finding out how their teammates performed and then celebrating their successes. 

“In terms of culture, we just enjoy being around each other and running with each other,” he said. “After every race, my first thought has been how did my teammates do and how did the team do overall? And it’s not just me who thinks that way. We have all been doing it.” 

In addition, Raiders who did not compete in the conference championships drove hours to watch the team and cheer from the sidelines with “Go Gate” painted on their bodies.

One of the team’s biggest supporters was men’s co-captain Ben Horner ’25, a mid-distance runner who competed in one event in the fall to focus on preparing for the track season in the spring. He continued to travel with the team, cheering from the sidelines, France said.

This year, the Raiders have also upped the intensity of their workouts, going above and beyond what’s expected. 

“The whole team and especially the guys who were at the championship have realized it’s not enough to do what you’re told at practice,” Holland said. “We constantly are thinking about how we can get better whether it be running more or doing the little things like sleeping over nine hours as assistant coach Lou Fiorillo would say.”

In addition, student-athletes lauded the coaching staff, which has brought new ideas and stability to a program that has seen many coaches in a short span. 

“Coach France has shifted the team’s mindset on what it means to be a member of this team,” Shepard said. “She has been working to change the culture here, and make it known that Colgate is a threat in the Patriot League.”

She also credited Fiorillo, who always emphasizes the importance of doing the little things. 

Co-captain Kara Shepard helped lead a young women's team with only two seniors.

“We focused on the mechanics of running, fixing our form, driving our knees, making sure we slept enough each night, etc.,” Shepard said. “I also think we had so much success because of people’s mindsets during practice. Each workout, people were dialed in and focused, showing up with their best effort each day.”

Griffith struggled as a first-year in 2022. But he adapted quickly, and has risen to become the No. 2 runner on the men’s team. 

“Since my freshman year, I’ve made steady improvements under the current training,” he said. “That year I didn’t run anywhere near the race I wanted. My body was still adjusting to college training. Since then I’ve learned to be patient, trust the process, have fun, and minimize the pressure I put on myself, and everything worked out.”

Griffith praised France for creating an excellent training plan — and the team’s dedication and focus when executing that plan. 

“I want to emphasize how proud I am of my teammates for stepping up to the challenge and supporting each other. If it were not for them, I would not be where I am physically or mentally. We have built a positive and constructive culture, and we know we have our backs on both good and bad days.”

Next up for Colgate is the NCAA Northeast Regionals, which will take place on Friday in Hopkinson, N.H. 

France said the conference championships have given the Raiders a huge confidence boost. Regardless of how the teams perform, Colgate has much higher expectations than in prior years. And with a young roster, the future looks bright.

“The team set a high bar,” France said. “This is now going to be our standard. I definitely think we are just scratching the surface of what this program is capable of doing.”