WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State University men's and women's cross country teams begin their 2025 fall schedule on Friday, Sept. 5th at the Vic Godfrey Open in Kenosha, Wis.
The 44th annual UW-P Vic Godfrey Open will have the women's 4K race at 5:00pm, with the men's 6K race to follow at 5:45pm.
WSU will compete in three total events prior to the 2025 NSIC Championships on Oct. 24th. After Friday's meet at University of Wisconsin-Parkside, the Warriors will travel to the University of Minnesota for the Roy Griak Invitational on Friday, Sept. 19th, and to Missouri Western State for the Griffon Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 4th.
Women's Cross-Country Notes:
- The Women's Cross-Country team is ranked 3rd regionally and 14th nationally in the USTFCCCA Women's Division II Poll.
- Sophia Taarud was named the 2025 NSIC Preseason Athlete of the year.
- Taaurd finished second at the NSIC Cross Country Championships and at the NCAA Division II Central Region Cross Country Championship last year. Taarud finished the 2024 season with All-America honors by finishing 22nd at NCAA Championships.
- Winona State was selected second in the 2025 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
- The 2025 campaign marks John Hibshman's sixth year with the Warriors.
Men's Cross-Country Notes:
- Mitchell Johnstone was named the 2025 NSIC Preseason Athlete to Watch for Men's Cross-Country.
- Johnstone finished eighth in the NSIC last year and tabbed a 46th place NCAA Regional finish.
- Winona State was selected 7th in the 2025 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
- Head coach John Hibshman heads into his sixth year with the men's program.
