Denison University

2026 Season Preview: Women’s Cross Country

8/30/2026 2:25:00 PM

The Denison women's cross country team looks to build momentum and continue to compete in the NCAC after making strides in 2025.

2025 Recap

The team competed in four races before postseason competition ensued, and the Big Red placed in the top three in three out of the four races. At the Otterbein Invitational, three runners placed in the top 25, leading Denison to a fourth-place finish out of 13 teams. The next week at the Ohio Wesleyan Invitational, the team would finish fourth once again, this time out of 12 squads, with two placing in the top 20. At the NCAC Championship, the team would finish sixth, followed by an 18th-place finish at the NCAA Great Lakes Region Championship.

Team Roundup

Numerous first-years highlight the women's cross country team, as nine join the squad in comparison to just five from last season. The sophomores follow up with five, and the juniors and seniors round out the group with four apiece. Although a relatively young squad, the group possesses much-needed experience and motivation heading into this season.

Key Returners

Rising sophomore Shaylee Murdough returns with solid production and course time throughout her career. Last season, Murdough set a personal-best time of 23:18.5 at the OWU Invitational and was the second Big Red to finish at the NCAC Championship with a time of 23:28.2. Rising sophomore Serafina Lavallee and rising junior Floraylsse Biteau have also posted solid times, while rising sophomore Brett Rose Castro set a personal best in the conference championship.

A Look at the Schedule

Sept 4th: Otterbein Invitational hosted by Otterbein University (6:00 pm)
Sept 18th: All-Ohio Inter-Collegiate Classic hosted by Cedarville University (6:00 pm)
Oct 2nd: Paul Short Run hosted by Lehigh University (4:15 pm)
Oct 17th: Oberlin Inter-Regional Rumble hosted by Oberlin College (10:30 am/12:00 pm)
Oct 23rd: Wild Bill Invite hosted by Wright State University (4:30 pm)
Oct 31st: NCAC Championship hosted by Oberlin College (11:00 am)
Nov 14th: NCAA Great Lakes Regional Championship hosted by Olivet College (TBA)

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