LOCK HAVEN, Pa. — The West Liberty University men's and women's cross country teams are set to compete in the 2025 NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Championships on Saturday at the West Branch Cross Country Course at the Stern Athletic Complex in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania.
The meet will feature the top programs from across the region as teams and individuals vie for a spot at the NCAA National Championships later this month. The top three teams in each race will automatically advance to nationals, along with the top two individual finishers not on a qualifying team. Additionally, all runners who finish in the top five overall and are not part of a qualifying team will earn individual berths. The top 25 finishers in each race will also be recognized as USTFCCCA All-Region honorees.
Men's Preview
The Hilltopper men enter the regional meet coming off one of their strongest outings of the season — a fifth-place team finish at the Mountain East Conference Championships at Oglebay Resort. West Liberty packed tightly through its top five scorers to post 148 points, just behind Concord (122) and ahead of Point Park (157) in a deep and competitive field.
Leading the way was Robert Allen, who earned All-MEC Second Team honors after placing 19th overall with a time of 27:07.97 on the 8-kilometer course. Francis Toohey wasn't far behind, finishing 23rd in 27:15.33, giving the Hilltoppers a strong 1-2 punch near the front. Jasper Brown added a 27th-place showing (27:42.27), while Zachary Workman and Michael Niggemyer rounded out the scoring in 37th and 42nd, respectively. Shepherd Richey and Finlay Lorimer will provide additional depth for the team in Lock Haven.
The men's 10K course record at Lock Haven is 29:31.3, set by Alex Monroe of Lock Haven in 2013.
Women's Preview
The West Liberty women's squad also heads to Lock Haven looking to build on a steady showing at the MEC Championships, where the Hilltoppers placed eighth overall.
The Hilltopper lineup will feature Lacey Dimit, Lexi Wynn, Naomi Young, Katie Rutherford, Ally Hicks, Gretchen House, and McKenzie Upole.
Dimit has led the women's team throughout the season and was West Liberty's top finisher at the conference meet, placing 26th overall. Young, Wynn, Hicks, and Rutherford have provided consistency in the team's scoring five, while House and Upole bring valuable depth for the regional test.
The women's 6K course record is 20:02, set by Georgetown's Treniere Clement in 2003.
Both West Liberty teams will toe the line against some of the nation's strongest Division II programs as they look to close the 2025 season with peak performances on one of the region's fastest and most competitive courses.
Race Schedule | Saturday, Nov. 8
10:30 a.m. – Women's 6K
11:45 a.m. – Men's 10K
