Men Set to Open 2025 Season Under the Lights at Elon
8/28/2025 3:04:00 PM | Men's Cross Country
DAVIDSON, N.C. – The Wildcats open the 2025 cross country season "Under the Lights" at the Elon Opener on Friday night.
"Youth is probably the biggest thing that stands out with this team," said Men's Cross Country Coach Andrew Allden. "We are focused on the process and long-term development. I've looked back historically and this is by far our best recruiting class."
There are 16 newcomers on the men's cross country and track & field roster and all of them are freshman. Quinn Swanton, Graham Boles, Finn Valli, and Seamus O'Driscoll are the four who will compete on the cross country team. Swanton joins the team with some impressive times in high school. The South Carolina native ran the 3200m in 9:09, which was the fastest time among all classes at the state meet last year. Boles and O'Driscoll bring some speedy high school mile times to the squad. Boles ran 4:17.20 and O'Driscoll ran 4:16.40 in the mile.
"We are moving into the next era and figuring out what the new identity and feel of the team is," said Director of Men's Cross Country and Track & Field Matt Stuck.
John Cooper and Alex Thole are two of the key returners to this team. Cooper ran a 6K at 18:29.70 during the Elon Opener last season and posted an 8K personal best of 24:41.20 at the Queen City Invite last season. That 8K time is inside the top 10 in program history. Thole ran 25:55.50 at the conference meet last season and is poised for a strong year ahead.
"You could throw a blanket over our first eight or nine runners," said Coach Allden. "That's how close together we are with each person's time. Our PR range is 24:40.00 to low 26:00.00 in the 8K."
Up Next
The Wildcats travel to Raleigh, N.C. on Friday, Sept. 19 and compete in the Adidas XC Challenge.
"Youth is probably the biggest thing that stands out with this team," said Men's Cross Country Coach Andrew Allden. "We are focused on the process and long-term development. I've looked back historically and this is by far our best recruiting class."
There are 16 newcomers on the men's cross country and track & field roster and all of them are freshman. Quinn Swanton, Graham Boles, Finn Valli, and Seamus O'Driscoll are the four who will compete on the cross country team. Swanton joins the team with some impressive times in high school. The South Carolina native ran the 3200m in 9:09, which was the fastest time among all classes at the state meet last year. Boles and O'Driscoll bring some speedy high school mile times to the squad. Boles ran 4:17.20 and O'Driscoll ran 4:16.40 in the mile.
"We are moving into the next era and figuring out what the new identity and feel of the team is," said Director of Men's Cross Country and Track & Field Matt Stuck.
John Cooper and Alex Thole are two of the key returners to this team. Cooper ran a 6K at 18:29.70 during the Elon Opener last season and posted an 8K personal best of 24:41.20 at the Queen City Invite last season. That 8K time is inside the top 10 in program history. Thole ran 25:55.50 at the conference meet last season and is poised for a strong year ahead.
"You could throw a blanket over our first eight or nine runners," said Coach Allden. "That's how close together we are with each person's time. Our PR range is 24:40.00 to low 26:00.00 in the 8K."
Up Next
The Wildcats travel to Raleigh, N.C. on Friday, Sept. 19 and compete in the Adidas XC Challenge.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
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