HAMILTON – Colgate women's cross country will begin its 2024 season this Saturday at 11 a.m. followed by the men at 11:45 a.m. in the Harry Lang Invitational. This will be head coach Chelsea France's second cross country season and the team is looking to build off where they finished last year.

Senior captain Kara Shepard returns for her fourth season and the Washington native is looking to be one of the Raiders' most impactful runners. Shepard finished with a 21:00.3 in the 5k at the Harry Lang Invitational last year and placed 71st in the Patriot League Championships. Senior captain Taylor Mitchell will also be returning for her fourth season with the Raiders. The two-time Patriot League Academic Honor Roll member, posted a 21:23.3 in the 5k at the Harry Lang Invitational last year and placed in the top 100 with a 26:50.0 6k time at the Patriot League Championships. Shepard and Mitchell will be joined by 11 new runners in Colgate's Class of 2028.

"We have a lot of new faces on our women's team who we anticipate making a major impact on our season. All of them have put in some great work this summer and are ready when their name is called to contribute to our team standings," France said. "I anticipate our scoring 5 to change quite a bit this season for the level of depth we have acquired. Looking forward to what's to come and working with this great group of women."

The men's team led by seniors Owen Holland and Ben Horner, will be adding 11 new runners this season and are looking to build off a 7th place finish in the Patriot League Championships. Holland was the second fastest Raider at the Harry Lang Invitational last year with a time of 20:08.4. Horner made it into the top 100 with a 28:16.7 8k time at the Patriot League Championships last year.

"This year we'll have more experience and depth. We were fairly young last year and to have all of our top-7 conference finishers back, especially after a successful spring season, is quite exciting. Our team has some lofty goals and we have a very gritty group who are ready to put in the work to achieve them this year."