PUEBLO, Colo. – The Colorado State University Pueblo men's and women's cross country programs will officially open their 2025 season this Saturday at the Joe Vigil Open in Alamosa, Colorado, looking to build on one of the most successful years in program history.
Both squads earned national recognition a season ago, with the ThunderWolves women's team placing third at the NCAA Division II National Championships, the highest finish in program history, while the men secured a 14th-place team finish on the national stage.
Women's Preview
The Pack women enter 2025 ranked No. 6 nationally in the USTFCCCA Preseason Poll with 198 points and were tabbed fourth in the South Central Region after their historic third-place run last fall.
Despite losing All-Americans Helen Braybrook, Leah Keisler, and Margot Thomas-Gatel to graduation and eligibility, the ThunderWolves return a strong core. Leading the way will be Jadyn Herron, an All-Region runner and track All-American, along with senior Camille Renou, who will anchor the veteran leadership.
Sophomore Lily Smithson is back after a breakout freshman campaign, while newcomer Charlotte Young, a talented mid-distance specialist from the United Kingdom, will add new depth as she takes on cross country for the first time. Together, the group will aim to keep CSU Pueblo among the nation's elite.
Men's Preview
The CSU Pueblo men's team faces a transitional year after graduating several top contributors. Gone are Reece Sharman-Newell (who transferred to Texas A&M for his final season), Matisse Virey, Matthew Roberds, Joseph Harker, and Kaleb Beloy—a core group that helped propel the Pack to Nationals in 2024.
Returning to lead the charge are standouts Kameron Eustace and Jon Sweepe, who will shoulder the leadership load for a roster looking to develop quickly throughout the season. While the ThunderWolves are unranked in the preseason national poll, they received votes in the South Central Region and open the year ranked ninth in the regional rankings.
Coaching Outlook
Both programs remain under the direction of Head Coach Matt Morris, who was a National Coach of the Year finalist last season after guiding the Pack to dual NCAA Championship appearances. With Morris at the helm, CSU Pueblo once again looks to develop into a postseason threat in 2025.
The journey begins Saturday in Alamosa, as the Pack look to set the tone for another memorable season.
