Expectations of success: USF’s cross country program looking to have a momentous season
The University of St.Francis’ (USF) men’s and women’s cross country teams have hit the ground running this season; literally and figuratively.
Head coach Trevor Howard noted that this season has had a strong start, especially when compared to last season. On the men’s side, the team has much more depth, experience wise.
“(When comparing the start to last season) Much better. On the men's side, we're a little bit deeper than we were last year. We've started out much better … that goes with the growth, having some seniors around, that helps out a ton”, Howard said.
Last year’s season was a recuperation period for the women’s team as well.
“On the ladies side, we elected to redshirt three of our top four last year… There was also a lot of young athletes that needed some time to develop. This year we're seeing the benefit of that. Those ladies that then did race last year, they've gained experience,” Howard explained.
The evidence for a positive start this season is substantial. A highlight so far is the teams’ strong showings at University of Notre Dame (Ind.) National Catholic Invite on Sept. 18, 2026. The women’s team finished fourth out of a 15 team field, with the men finishing seventh out of 13. This meet allowed the team to compete with teams not only in the NAIA division, but NCAA divisions as well. While some might see this as a challenge, coach Howard welcomed it.
“Notre Dame is a perennial powerhouse in cross country and getting to compete against them… seeing (the cross country teams) perform against NCAA schools where we kind of got an idea, this team, it can be really good. Obviously, early in the year, we have to maintain that and continually get better,” coach Howard said.
Even after a strong showing, the team does not take a break. Success does not come without hard work.
“Mondays, we just run on our own, whenever they can fit it into their schedule. Tuesday and Fridays are big workout days for us… Wednesday's kind of a medium long run day…Thursdays, we meet in the afternoon, nice recovery day, Saturdays, most of the time they're getting off or running on their own… then (Sunday) we call it the church of the long run. We go out, we're meeting either 6:30 a.m to go get a long run in. Ladies, the top group, they're running about 95 minutes and men up to two hours”, coach Howard said.
With a demanding practice schedule, injuries are something neither cross country team is a stranger to. Injuries have been a hurdle this season for the men’s team specifically.
“We are facing a little bit of injury adversity, where we have to have some young guys step up. They're question marks now, but we still have five weeks before the conference meet for them to get better and improve,” said coach Howard.
On the women’s side, their hurdle is more on the numbers, as they are trying to find a fifth runner to round out a potential nationals group. Each team needs at least five runners for a full nationals roster and to optimize success.
“We have to find a fifth runner to step up. That fifth runner, we're kind of gonna live and die by them at the national level,” said coach Howard.
The nationals path for the cross country team starts at the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) meet, which usually takes place in early November. Winning this meet is an automatic bid to nationals for either team. With a long history of success at CCAC, both cross country teams have high expectations to meet.
“It’s not a goal, it’s an expectation to win the CCAC meet, which is conference … then for the men, if we can (get to nationals and) be top 10 to 12 in the country, that's a really good year, and the ladies, honestly, top four in the country,” coach Howard described.
Recent showings support coach Howard’s predictions. Nationally ranked in seventh place heading in, the women’s team was able to get first place at the early October Wartburg College Dan Huston Invitational. Senior Carmen Solis placed first out of 198 runners, with junior Evita Martinez right behind in second place. With junior Savannah Richmond and senior Dyannara Franco also in the top 10, they were able to shut out other top 10 nationally ranked teams.
“It was kind of their first showdown with a top 10 team in the NAIA, Grace College, who is right behind us in the rankings. Being able to put 5 or 4 girls in front of their number two… having Carmen and Evita go one, two, in the middle, having Savannah and Dyannara run in front of Grace's number two… I mean, that was just more evidence. Hey, this team, this is good,” Howard said.
Coach Howard also has expectations for the USF community as a passionate alum in the class of 2014.
“Honestly, I feel like I bleed brown and gold. … I made the decision to come here and I love the fact that it is a tight-knit community. I want to see more, not just with cross country, because we travel a lot, but supporting athletes,” said coach Howard. “I think this is an awesome place to be. Make this place special. Let's make this something that folks want to gravitate towards… create a student athlete atmosphere that we're really proud of.”
Expectations, such as winning CCAC, getting to nationals and growing the supportive culture of USF, are a key part of the cross country program; pushing to build on previous success while running to new heights. With the postseason nearing, the teams seem to be in a strong place to turn this into a momentous season.
