Fordham’s Men’s and Women’s Cross Country will open their seasons next Saturday, September 4 at Stony Brook University. This will be Head Coach Brian Horowitz’s third year since taking over as head coach.

Women’s captain, senior Bridget Alex, says both the men’s and women’s teams are hoping to develop their young rosters over the course of the season. “I would say we have a young team, especially since last year we didn’t have a whole season,” she said. “I don’t think it’s like, too much of a disadvantage. We are looking pretty strong on the girl’s side and the guy’s side, too.”

The COVID-19 pandemic canceled the 2020 cross country season, meaning it has been almost two years since most of Fordham’s team has run official races. Both freshmen and sophomores will be getting their first real taste of college cross country this upcoming season.

The men’s team is led by senior captain Brandon Hall, last year’s top returner. Other top returners include redshirt senior Chris Strzelinski and juniors Colin Flood and Ryan Fahey. Hall says that despite a strong group of returners “we’re really looking for the sophomore crew specifically and the freshmen to step up.”

The women’s roster, led by Alex, is highlighted by strong junior and sophomore classes. That group includes sophomore Marin Bogulski, the team’s top finisher from last winter’s A-10 Championship and junior Alexandra Thomas, the team’s top finisher from 2019. The women’s roster also has four new freshmen that they hope can contribute to a high finish in the A-10 Championship on October 30 in Cedarville, Ohio. 

Both the men’s and women’s teams have similar aspirations. “A-10’s is at Dayton this year,” Alex said. “Our goal is always to show up at A-10’s and get into that group with like the top teams. I think we will focus on team elements more than anything else this season.”

As for the men, the team is coming into this season hungry and ready to compete. “People are itching to get back on the race course and we have a lot of grit and determination to do well this year,” Hall said. “We would like to be as high up in the A-10 as possible … The underdog story, come up and surprise people, that’s the goal.”