NEW BOSTON, Mich. --  The Saginaw Valley State University cross country team launched the 2025 season by competing at the Warrior Challenge, which Wayne State hosted in Detroit, Michigan. The women's team headlined, capturing three new personal bests and securing five top 15 finishes. Scoring 49 points in the 6K race, the team claimed third place. Meanwhile, the men's team battled to fourth, finishing with a score of 121.

 

Jenna Sweeney took the lead for the Cardinals, setting a new PR of 22 minutes, 52.7 seconds—improving her time by almost five seconds. Karissa Picard finished seventh after recording a top-10 time of 23:00.20. Tara Szuper completed the SVSU trio of top-ten finishers by achieving a new PR of 23:06.60, placing her 10th in the race.

 

Alexis Tracy finished in 13th place with 25:15.00, and Kinsie Jacques, who set a PR of 23:23.30, followed in 15th. Together, they rounded out the Cardinals' top scorers for the race.

 

Sydney Fontaine debuted for Saginaw Valley, clocking 23:49.80. Bailey Schmoldt (24:01.8), Isabelle Becker (24:03.5), and Kelcie Pung (26:25.4) raced their first meet as Cardinals, joining Fontaine among the newcomers.

 

On the men's side, Bryce Husen finished 23rd in the 8K race with a time of 26:42.60. Isaac Zammit, who clocked 26:52.90, placed 27th. Andy Foshag added a new PR of 27:03.50 to earn 32nd in the standings.

 

David Murphy completed the 8K in 27:30.20. Connor Clor crossed the line at 27:38.10, rounding out the scoring for the men.

 

The Cardinal cross country team heads to Grand Rapids on Saturday, October 4, to compete in the Knight Invite, hosted by Calvin College.