By: Colton Steiner

The Bluffton University cross country team is ready to stride into the 2025 season with an experienced group of runners under Head Coach Connor Gulick, who is entering his fourth year at the helm.

Back for his final campaign with the Beavers is senior Jarrod Roudebush (Coshocton) who was able to finish a season best last year at the Beaver Dam Invite, crossing the line with a time of 21:31.3, placing 43rd overall. The lone senior is coming off a season where he ran to a 57th place finish at the HCAC Championships, coming in at 28:40.9.

Returning for his junior campaign is Micah Dodson (Wooster/Central Christian) who now sits at 11 meets for his career. He ran his best race of the season at the HCAC Championships, crossing the line with a time of 31:43.9.

Bluffton also returns three sophomores, led by Jordan Croy (Ottawa/Ottawa-Glandorf) and Kaden McWatters (Genoa/Genoa Area), who were neck and neck, both placing in the top-100 two times. Joining them is Malcolm Hudson (Villa Rica, GA) who is ready for a breakout second season.

On the women's side, the Beavers return three second-year runners, let by Sara Smith (Mansfield/Madison Comprehensive) who clinched two top-50 finishes, including a 45th place showing at the HCAC Championships with a time of 27:00.6. Joining her are Kamryn McDonald (Marion/Harding), who was able to compete in all seven meets last season, and Jenna Stewart, who is also back for her sophomore campaign.

Bluffton will once again host the Beaver Dam Invite on Friday, Aug. 29. Following trips to Tiffin, Cedarville, OWU and Oberlin, the Beavers will head to Blue River for the 2025 Heartland Conference Championships and Tom Sawyer State Park for the Great Lakes Regional.

-BEAVERS-