Bucknell women's cross country has been a model of consistency - finishing fourth for the third time in four seasons. That type of steadfastness, while admirable, leaves a team thirsting for higher glory. The 2025 Bison have the squad to break into the Patriot League "Big Three" of Army, Boston, and Navy. An eclectic mix of veterans and newcomers offers Bucknell the ingredients to resume its rightful place as one of the circuit's finest squadrons.
Head coach and Bucknell legend Kevin Donner offered commentary on the upcoming season:
"We are obviously very excited about the roster. We return two All-League runners and have a bunch of good freshmen. Whenever you can return All-League performers, you have a solid nucleus for a squad."
Caryn Rippey headlines a solid senior class. The experienced runner earned Second Team All-Patriot League at the 2024 Conference Championships and finished 44th at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional. Her success bled into the 2025 track & indoor season where she won several events, including first place in the 3000-meter run at the Indoor ECAC Championships.
Other seniors to watch are Lauren Joyce and Grace Vives who both finished in the top 55 at the Patriot League Championships.
The junior class is heavy with talent with All-League performer Kailey Granger earning the banner. She finished 12th at the 2024 Patriot League Championships, ten spots better than her 2023 mark. Granger and Rippey provide a potent one-two pair for the Bison and will prove critical for the top three goal.
Granger's fellow juniors in Hailey Reinhard, Katrina Torelli, and Bradley Weldon are also in the mix.
The sophomore class boasted several runners who were freshman flashes. Shaelan McNally is healthy and ready to pick up from her rookie year where she won the Father Bede Invitational in her collegiate debut and finished 22nd at the League Championships.
"McNally started strong last year and then had some health issues but she is coming back stronger than ever."
Katie Moncavage finished in the top 100 at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regionals and developed further during the track & field season gathering three wins.
"She had a very solid overall freshman year. She is in great shape right now and is running with our top people."
Anna Carruthers and Kerry O'Day are other sophomores to watch. Carruthers made the travel squad last year. O'Day is currently dealing with injuries, but when healthy, is a forceful runner.
Gentry Bowie and Ella McCrum are the two freshman to watch for. McCrum was a PIAA District Six medalist and won a seventh place All-State finish at the PIAA State cross country championships.
The schedule sets up nicely for the Bison. The team opens this Friday at the Lehigh Open - giving the squad a chance to run the 2025 Patriot League Championships and NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional course. The Jasper and Youngtown State Invitationals will test Bucknell against potent regional and Midwest foes. The traditional and historical IC4A/ECAC Championships are on October 17. The Patriot League Championships will offer a special trick and treat on Halloween. The Mid-Atlantic Regionals are two weeks later.
The conference should shake out like usual with Army, Boston, and Navy battling for the top three positions and the Bison attempting to dethrone one of the schools.
"Boston lost its best runner in Vera Sjoberg. She graduated early and went to UNC. It hurts any team to lose its best runner. Army returns most of their runners. I see them as a favorite. Navy narrowly beat us last year and they lost several of their best runners."
Like most athletic situations with narrow margins, it boils down to health. If the Bison can stay out of the sickbeds and on the course, the team has the chance to return to the top three for the first time since 2020. The talent and will are there for the Orange & Blue runners to reclaim their rightful heritage.