After exceptional seasons last year, Shippensburg University men’s and women’s cross-country begin their season with high expectations. The men’s team is coming off its second PSAC (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) championship in school history last season.
The women’s team also took the PSAC crown for the first time in four years last season. Eight runners are returning to the men’s team including six that ran in the championships. Five seniors are on the squad, including Alex Balla, one of the squad’s top runners. Dominic Stroh leads a talented group of juniors and Rob Moser leads the sophomores. The team looks to be in sturdy hands for the future, especially with head coach Steve Spence still leading the Raiders. Spence is entering his 20th season in charge of the squad.
On the other side, the women’s team returns 13 runners from last season — four of which are seniors — including Bryanna Dissinger, who placed seventh in the PSAC Championships last season. Eight members of the squad who represented SU at the championships are returning to the Raiders this season. In the recent PSAC coaches’ poll, the men’s squad was named the top team in the conference, receiving 14 of 16 first-place votes. The Raiders have many of the same pieces that allowed them to claim the title last season, so it was reasonable for the PSAC coaches to name them the favorites to finish on top again.
The women’s team was also named the top team in the PSAC in the coaches’ poll, receiving 15 of 18 first-place votes. California and Edinboro were placed second and third, respectively. Both squads begin their season at home this Friday at 8 p.m. at the recreational fields..
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