The Kellogg Community College cross country season opens this month, led again by Head Cross Country Coach Tom Shaw and joined by assistant coaches Gale Fisher, Rob Lillie and Becky Pryor.
Information about each team follows.
Men’s Cross Country
KCC’s men’s cross country team fields a roster of eight this season, led by two returning sophomores. Men’s runners include:
- Freshman Julian Borst (Kalamazoo/Loy Norrix High School)
- Freshman Bruno Cabrera (Portage/Portage Central High School)
- Freshman Isaac Greene (Battle Creek/Lakeview High School)
- Freshman Joshua Hennessey (Battle Creek/Lakeview High School)
- Freshman William Kennedy (Jackson/East Jackson High School)
- Returning sophomore Maxwell LaDuke (Battle Creek/Lakeview High School)
- Freshman Zach Regis (Hickory Corners/Gull Lake High School)
- Returning sophomore Alex Steward (Hastings/Hastings High School)
“Our numbers are strong on the men’s side this season with eight competitors,” Shaw said. “On paper, we are a stronger team than last year – and we finished seventh at the national championship last fall. We have a good group of sophomores who are focused and ready to lead a talented freshman class. I am excited to see how this team finishes in November.”
As Shaw noted, last year’s men’s cross country team finished an amazing seventh in the nation at the NJCAA Division III National Championship 8K race in November. The national championship success came on the heels of a runner-up finish at the NJCAA Region XII championships in October.
The two returning Bruin runners – LaDuke and Steward – earned postseason academic honors from the Michigan Community College Athletic Association for excellence in the classroom.
Women’s Cross Country
The women’s cross country team fields a roster of nine this season, also led by two returning sophomores. Women’s runners include:
- Freshman Jaiden Anderson (Battle Creek/Lakeview High School)
- Freshman Chloe Badger (East Leroy/Athens High School)
- Freshman Libby Butchart (Quincy/Quincy High School)
- Freshman Olivia Butler (Homer/Homer High School)
- Returning sophomore Alexia Kryszewski (Battle Creek/Harper Creek High School)
- Freshman Riley Maisner (Battle Creek/Lakeview High School)
- Freshman Brook Scott (Battle Creek/Pennfield High School)
- Freshman Kirsten Wedding (Battle Creek/Lakeview High School)
- Returning sophomore Brenna Withers (Battle Creek/Harper Creek High School)
“I am super excited about the numbers with the women’s team this season,” Shaw said. “I believe we have the talent to qualify for the national championship. Our first meet is later this month and will be a league meet. It’s going to be a challenge, but it is one we are looking forward to. Our sophomores are locked in and have some lofty goals we are looking to accomplish by November.”
Last year’s women’s team also saw a runner-up finish at the NJCAA Region XII championships, with Withers finishing second individually. Withers also qualified for nationals individually, finishing 17th overall in the women’s 5K race.
Kryszewski earned postseason academic honors including MCCAA Academic All-Conference, Academic All-MCCAA and NJCAA All-Academic First Team awards for excellence in the classroom.
For More Information
Both teams will open the season competitively Aug. 30 at the Skipper Showcase in Goodells, hosted by St. Clair County Community College. Three more regular-season meets are on the schedule through October leading up to the regional meet Oct. 25.
For more information about cross country at KCC, including a roster, full season schedule, the latest statistics and photos of each player, visit kelloggbruins.com or contact Head Cross Country Coach Tom Shaw at crosscountrycoach@kellogg.edu.
For more news about Kellogg Community College, view our latest press releases online at https://daily.kellogg.edu/category/news-releases.