With the fall season quickly approaching, the Purdue Northwest Men's and Women's cross country teams are gearing up for an exciting chapter under the leadership of first-year head coach Zachary Hoover. A new energy has taken root in the program, and both squads are poised to take major strides forward as they prepare to hit the ground running this September.

Coach Hoover, stepping into his new role with a strong vision and competitive mindset, inherits two rosters filled with experience, depth, and a group of student-athletes ready to embrace the grind of collegiate cross country.

Women's Team Brings Depth, Experience, and New Talent
The women's team features a balanced mix of veterans and fresh faces who are eager to set the tone early in the season.
Leading the returners is senior Meg Sukley (Minooka, Ill./Minooka Community) from Minooka, Illinois, who brings leadership and poise after transferring from Joliet Junior College. She'll be joined by juniors Sara McGraw (Indianapolis, Ind./Roncalli), Myrriam Dhoore (LaPorte, Ind./LaPorte), Sidney Elijah (Valparaiso, Ind./Hebron), and Sonya Wagner (Greenville, Tenn./North Greene) all expected to be pivotal contributors.

Sophomores Johanna Compton (), Kayla Garza (Dyer, Ind./Lake Central) and Gabrielle Morache (Lowell, Ind./Lowell Senior) return with a year of experience under their belts and are ready to build on their progress.

Newcomers Kayla Guajardoo (Highland, Ind./Highland) and Rachel Sanchez (Berwyn, Ill.) round out the roster, bringing fresh energy and untapped potential to a group ready to compete.

With a strong mix of experienced runners and developing talent, the women's team is poised to make waves this fall.

Men's Team Loaded with Potential Across All Classes
On the men's side, the roster is deep, athletic, and features an exciting blend of seasoned upperclassmen and promising newcomers. The senior class is headlined by returners Brandan Bagnara (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest), Jackson Bakker (Lowell, Ind./Lowell), Matt Clark (Morris, Ill./) Rafael Maier (Portage, Ind./Portage), and Brendan Wiegand (Romeo, Mich./Romeo HS). all looking to close their collegiate careers on a high note.

Graduate runner Hayden Podlin (Dyer, Ind./Lake Central HS) brings veteran experience and will play a critical role in leading a large and energetic roster.

Returning sophomores Santiago Arza (Allentown, Pa.), Conor Gross (Du Quoin, Ill./Du Quoin), Cort Haney (Avon, Ind./Avon), and Julio Herrera (Dyer, Ind./Lake Central) offer competitive experience and are expected to continue developing into key contributors.
Juniors Brennen Corregedore (Kapaa, Hawaii/Kauai), James Snow, and Joshua Tuck (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton) add maturity and leadership in the middle of the roster.

The incoming freshman class is bursting with potential. Zach Cooper (Crown Point, Ind./Crown Point), Gabriel Early (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North), Chase Fajman (Dyer, Ind.), Kristopher Garner (Dyer, Ind./Lake Central), Matthew Givens (Osceola, Ind.), Dylan Guilford (Winamac, Ind./Winamac Community), Manolo Mellouk (Highland, Ind./Andrean), Carmelo Quintero (Merrillville, Ind./Merrillville), Keaton Westley (Arvada, Colo.), and Jalen Strietelmeier (/Highland, Ind.) are all set to compete for spots and push the team forward.

The teams begin the 2025 campaign competing at the Lewis Earl Bird meet on Friday, September 5 in Romeoville, Illinois.