Women's Cross Country Looks to Mix Experience and Youth To Raise Among the SLIAC

CARLINVILLE, IL -- The Blackburn College Women's Cross Country team enters the 2025 season with momentum and optimism. After finishing seventh at the 2024 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships, the Beavers boast their largest roster in recent program history. 

Leading the Beavers will be three returners, seniors Olivia Leemon and Breana Allen, and junior Gracie Jent who will provide leadership and experience to the team. Sophomore Caitlin Rainey returns after gaining valuable experience in her first year with the team. 

Sophomore Olivia Hamman joins the cross country squad after being members of the track and field team last year. 

Blackburn also features four new faces to the team in freshman Sophia Palmier, Kaitlyn Garland, Mary Ahrens, and Hunter Kirk. All four will look to push the returners and add depth to push the team into high contention among the league. 

The team starts competition Friday at the Webster Open, hosted by Webster University.