KENOSHA, Wis. - The Colorado State University Pueblo men's and women's cross-country programs are set to return to action this weekend as the ThunderWolves travel to Kenosha, Wisconsin, for the Lucia Rosa Pre-NCAA Invitational. The meet, hosted by Wisconsin Parkside, will take place on Saturday at 10 a.m. Mountain Time at the Wayne E. Dannehl National Cross Country Course, the same site that will host the 2025 NCAA Division II National Championships.
Women's Preview – Ranked and Ready
The CSU Pueblo women's squad enters the weekend with national recognition, currently ranked 15th in the nation after last season's historic third-place finish at the NCAA Championships. The Pack will lean heavily on its veteran core of Camille Renou, Lily Smithson, and Jadyn Herron, all of whom competed on the national stage a year ago.
The ThunderWolves showed early strength at their season-opening race at the Joe Vigil Open in Alamosa. Olivia Drodz made an immediate impact, earning a top-10 finish in eighth place (18:24), while Renou (10th, 18:25), Herron (14th, 18:32), and Smithson (20th) all packed inside the top 20. That performance highlighted the depth and balance of the women's team, which is eager to test itself against a national-caliber field this weekend.
Men's Preview – Building Toward the National Stage
On the men's side, CSU Pueblo is in a developmental phase but brings back valuable experience. Though currently unranked, the ThunderWolves finished 14th at last year's NCAA Championships and are looking to build another postseason push. Veteran Jon Sweepe has emerged as the frontrunner, pacing the Pack at the Joe Vigil Open with a 21st-place finish (25:19).
He was closely followed by Caden Schweer (24th), while mid-distance All-Americans are being transitioned into the cross-country lineup. Caleb McLeod, an 800-meter standout, posted a 26:31 debut, and Tim Anstett clocked 27:12 in his first outing. With time to grow and gain rhythm, the men's team is focused on developing a strong identity as the season progresses toward championship competition.
National Implications
Saturday's invitational will not only provide a chance for the Pack to sharpen against top-level talent but will also give them an early preview of the course where they hope to peak later this fall at nationals. For the women, it's an opportunity to solidify their top-15 ranking, while the men aim to prove they remain a dangerous postseason contender.
