When Loyola University Maryland cross country opens its 2019 season on Friday afternoon at the Towson Invitational, the Greyhounds will do so with a mix of experienced runners and strong newcomers .

Oregon Ridge Park in Cockeysville, Maryland, will be the site of the first race which is slated for a 4 o'clock start.
 
On the men's team, fifth-year Head Coach Amy Horst has a lot of confidence in a pair of sophomores, Patrick Cropsey and Nathan Galloway, who were the Greyhounds' top two runners for most of last season. Cropsey was the number one runner for the men's team in all but one race while Galloway led the Greyhounds at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional meet.
 
"Patrick and Nathan had a very good seasons for us," Horst said. "They worked very well together throughout the year, and I am looking forward to seeing them do the same this year."
 
Junior Brandon Rossi shows good progress a year ago, while his classmate Sam Miller and sophomore Jake Fowler look to figure into the mix.
 
Horst is very excited about her freshman class. She has added three runners from Christian Brothers Academy in New Jersey; Jackson Aguilar, Donny Mills and Alex Schueller are all veterans of the very successful CBA program that won three New Jersey state titles during their time at the school.
 
Another newcomer from New Jersey, Connor Rebele of North Brunswick, could also perform well as a freshman while John Schuerger of Iona Prep just outside New York City has shown plenty of potential.
 
"Our three freshmen from CBA bring talent and a winning mindset to our program," said Horst. "They will be given every opportunity to develop, and they could contribute a lot."
 
On the women's team, Horst has veteran experience with three seniors and a graduate student.
 
Mary Sutton has returned to the roster to use her final season of eligibility as a graduate student, while seniors Kayleigh Caggiano, Audrey O'Neill and Kelly Williamson have all competed well over the last three seasons.
 
A top distance runner for the Greyhounds during her track and field career, Sutton took 51^st place at the Patriot League Championships last year.
 
A record-setting performer in relays for the Greyhounds' track and field teams, Caggiano has been one of the top runners on the cross country team throughout her career. She finished 48^th at the Patriot League Championships last season and was the women's team's top runner throughout the year.
 
"Kayleigh has made progress every year," says Horst. "It should be fun to watch her compete as a senior. She should be one of our top runners in every meet.
 
"Audrey and Kelly have competed in a lot of races during their careers. They are both strong leaders and have been very consistent."
 
Sophomore Grayce Heinemann had a very promising freshman campaign, capping it off by finishing 52^nd at the Patriot League Championships where she was the Greyhounds' number three finisher. Fellow sophomore Kate Ragone will also look to get into the scoring for the Greyhounds.
 
Freshmen Marissa Branham, Olivia Malley, Abby Potticary and Chloe Sobchak bring solid credentials to the Greyhounds' program.
 
A product of Northwest High School in Montgomery County, Maryland, Branham earned 12 letters in her career as a four-time letter winner in cross country, indoor and outdoor track and served as the team captain in each sport as a junior senior.
 
Malley earned All-State recognition at Strath Haven High School and set a school record in the 400-meter dash and was part of the state champion 4x800 relay team.
 
A native of Hebron, Connecticut, Potticary was the Most Valuable Runner at RHAM High School as a junior and senior. A member of the state championship team in 2016, she was an All-State honoree twice.
 
A two-year standout for the Century High School cross country team in Sykesville, Maryland, Sobchak was also a member of the indoor and outdoor track teams for the Knights.
 
"A lot can change from the start of the cross country season until the end," adds Horst. "It is a very long season and we are expecting that all of our runners will develop as the season progresses.
 
"On both teams, we have some very strong freshmen. The question is how the freshmen are going to adjust to running college races."
 
After opening the season at the Towson Invitational, the Greyhounds visit the Iona Prep Invitational on Friday, September 20. Two weeks later, Loyola runs in the Paul Short Invitational Meet before the men compete in the Lafayette Invitational while the women run in the Princeton Invitational on October 19.
 
On Saturday, November 2, both of the Greyhounds' cross country teams will travel to Hamilton, New York to compete in the Patriot League Championships, hosted by Colgate University.
 
On Friday, November 15, Loyola will compete in the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Meet, hosted by Lehigh University.