WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — The West Liberty University men's cross country team enters the 2026 season looking to replace a veteran group while building around a young core of returning runners and several newcomers.

Head coach Michael Guinn II knows there are plenty of miles to replace following the graduation of several key contributors, but he believes the Hilltoppers have the pieces to develop into a strong group as the season progresses.

Zachary Workman provides one of the team's key veteran presences as he enters his junior season, while sophomore Joshua Gill returns after making an immediate impact as a freshman. "Zach will be a huge replacement for us," Guinn said. "He's going to come in here and be a big part of this puzzle for us." Gill gives the Hilltoppers another important piece as he begins his second collegiate season. "He's a very talented runner and he works really hard," Guinn said. "He's done a lot over this year to help his mechanics. He's doing everything he can."

West Liberty also returns Finlay Lorimer, Shepherd Richey, Christian Rutherford, Seth Krocker, and Michael Niggemyer, giving Guinn a group with varying levels of collegiate experience. Rutherford enters the season following a strong outdoor track and field campaign, and Guinn believes the sophomore has plenty of room to continue developing. "He doesn't know how good of a cross country runner he can be yet," Guinn said. "So I'm just excited to see him keep growing as an athlete."

Lorimer is another runner Guinn expects to take a step forward as he continues adjusting to the longer distances of collegiate cross country. "Finlay is a very, very good runner out of Morgantown," Guinn said. "He's got a lot of tools that he's just got to keep sharpening and learning how to run the 8K and 10K race. I think as he learns those longer races, he's going to really see some growth."

The Hilltoppers also add a pair of transfers from Glenville State in Darius Gray and Lance Busse, giving the program additional collegiate experience. Busse, a sophomore from Nitro, W.Va., and Gray, a sophomore from Carpendale, W.Va., both competed at Glenville State before joining the Hilltoppers. "We're really excited about the two transfer boys from Glenville that are going to come in and help us bridge some gaps," Guinn said.

West Liberty also welcomes three freshmen to the roster: Hadden Garvin of John Marshall High School and Jimmy Erlandson and Vincent Zegrea of Williamstown High School. "I'm excited to see where they get to," Guinn said of Erlandson and Zegrea. Garvin gives West Liberty another local runner as the Hilltopper freshman begins his collegiate career.

With the returning runners and newcomers coming together, Guinn believes the chemistry within the group could become an important factor. "I'm just excited to see how that group meshes together," Guinn said. "I think they'll mesh really well. They all know each other from running against each other in high school and at the college level."

The Hilltoppers will take a patient approach to the season, with the goal of continuing to improve as the schedule progresses. "We've got a long season," Guinn said. "If you put the work in, you never know where you can go."

The 2026 schedule will give West Liberty an early opportunity to test itself against Mountain East Conference competition. The Hilltoppers will host a meet featuring Point Park and potentially Fairmont State and Wheeling before traveling to North Carolina later in September to preview the course that will host the NCAA regional championship. West Liberty will also return to Lock Haven later in the season for a meet that Guinn hopes will build confidence heading into the championship portion of the schedule. "I'm excited to see where we're at," Guinn said. "We'll get some effort out there and just see where we're at."

For a team replacing significant senior leadership, the 2026 season will be about establishing a new identity and continuing to improve with every race. Workman provides veteran leadership, while Gill, Lorimer, Rutherford and the rest of the returning group look to take another step forward. The additions of Gray, Busse and the freshman class give Guinn additional pieces as the Hilltoppers build toward the championship portion of the season. "We've just got a good mix of some good runners," Guinn said. "If you put the work in, you never know where you can go."

The Hilltoppers open their season Thursday when they host the West Liberty Invitational at Bethany.



West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at westliberty.edu.