LONGVIEW, Texas -- The 2025 season is here as the LeTourneau cross country teams open the new year on Friday at the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack Collegiate Opener in Nacogdoches.

The women's three-mile race begins at 6 p.m., with the men's three-mile event starting at 6:30 p.m.

Under second-year head coach Kevin Gideon, the teams begin a new chapter of the programs' history with the move to the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.

MEN'S OVERVIEW

The YellowJackets finished their time in the ASC with the program's second conference championship in 2024. As LeTourneau heads into the strong SCAC, the YellowJackets look to make their mark as a new contender in the league.

A senior-heavy roster makes up Gideon's roster this season. Led by standout David Dugan, the senior class boasts six of the 18 runners on the roster. Dugan was a first team All-ASC selection last year as he placed fourth at the conference meet and had a top-80 finish at the NCAA West Regional. Dugan enters the year as a three-time all-conference honoree.

Aidan Hynes, Ike Lehman, Elijah Oudyn, and Daniel Risberg comprise the rest of the returning seniors. Hynes, Oudyn, and Lehman were all honored with All-ASC accolades last season. 

Joining the team for the first time is senior Zach Farris. An all-conference selection on the tennis court, Farris adds depth for the YellowJackets in his final year of eligibility.

Grayson Gaddis and Austin Jett return as juniors. Gaddis was a first team All-ASC honoree last season, while Jett returns to the cross country trails for the first time in two seasons after an injury kept him out last fall.

Sophomores Alexander Hoksbergen and Ryan Tally look to build off their freshman campaigns. Hoksbergen had a top-20 finish at the ASC meet last year before putting together a strong track season. Tally was 18th in the conference meet a season ago.

Gideon's freshman class includes Xavier Davila, John Wesley Ely, Jakob Guadian, Jack McCarty, Simon Nakamura, Gavin Smith, Isaac Stucker, and Konrad Williamson.

WOMEN'S OVERVIEW

Five returners and a pair of newcomers make up the roster for the YellowJacket women in 2025.

Senior Hope Greenwald is the leading returner after earning All-ASC second team honors last season. Greenwald is a two-time all-conference selection and a two-time conference runner of the week recipient. 

Greenwald is one of three seniors leading the YellowJackets, and is joined by Alayna Galloway and Madelyn DeLosSantos. 

Felice Mullinax and Peyton Chaney are the sophomores on the team. Mullinax earned All-ASC second team as a freshman in 2024 and looks to build off that performance. 

The freshman class includes Katelyn Chavez and Rivkah Schmickle.

SCAC OUTLOOK

There is no preseason poll for the SCAC, but without a doubt Colorado College is the team to beat in the league. The Tigers have won six consecutive championships on the men's side, while the Colorado College women have won four straight league titles.

All teams qualify for entrance to the SCAC Championships. The meet is set to be held on Nov. 1 in Houston.

THE SCHEDULE

On Sept. 12, the teams travel to Houston for the Rice Invitational. It will be the second straight year the teams have competed at Rice.

In October, two meets are scheduled. The YellowJackets will compete in the Belhaven Invitational on Oct. 4 in Clinton, Miss., before returning to action at the Texas A&M-hosted Arturo Barrios Invitational on Oct. 17. It will be the first meet at Texas A&M for LeTourneau since 2021.

The SCAC Championships are set for Nov. 1 in Houston. The NCAA West Regional meet is slated for Nov. 15 in Claremont, Calif.

FOLLOW THE YELLOWJACKETS

Be sure to follow LeTourneau athletics all season long on letuathletics.com and social media at Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram for up-to-date scores, news, and other information.