General | 8/28/2025 11:36:00 AM

COLLEGE PLACE, Wash. — The Walla Walla Men's and Women's Cross Country teams step up to the starting line this Friday for the start of the 2025 season.

The Wolves will take part in the Clash of the Inland Northwest in Cheney, Wash. to kickoff the small four-race season for WWU.

Head coach Brady Svilich takes over both teams this season after coaching the women's team last year. Svilich is joined by Jennifer Goodwin who has been part of the coaching staff on the men's side since 2020. The duo hope that the strides that the teams saw last year will continue to grow in the 2025 season. The biggest sign of growth has come on the women's side of things and the amount of runners and talent on the team.

"Just two years ago we had only two women competing, and this year we're up to 12," Svilich said.

Liv Kreitner returns after setting the program's freshman record in the Women's 6K at the Mike Johnson Classic with a time of 26 minutes and 53 seconds. The time was also the fourth fastest time of any female runner for Walla Walla since 2018. Svilich said that Kreitner has worked hard during the spring and entered the fall in the best shape of her life.

Kreitner is joined by returners Danika Larson, Sofi Pinell and Sasha Vaughan from the 2024 team. Schy Safotu was on the 2024 roster, but was unable to race for the Wolves last year and is excited to get her first taste of collegiate racing. Senior Maddie Ruiz also rejoins the program after a year away.

The main growth comes from the long list of newcomers who joined WWU in the offseason. Freshman runners Cam Stam, Megan Rowland, Anna Shimolina, Isa Ruiz and Ana Ruiz along with graduate student Jodi Adams give the women's team its largest roster in program history.

"Jodi Adams is especially intriguing, her background as a triathlete, including that big regional victory, sets her apart," Svilich said. "She's experienced racing at a high level, knows how to dig deep, and is transitioning that skill set to the 6K distance. She has the potential to be one of our most impactful additions this year."

Svilich said that Stam has really impressed him this offseason and that she could be a major contributor right away for the Wolves. The coach hopes that the depth and added talent will help close the gap with the top teams in the Cascade Conference. 2024 was the first time that the women's team was able to field a full team for the CCC Championship and finished in 11th place. Svilich believes that the Walla Walla could surprise some people this season.

On the men's side, top runner Ethan Heisler returns for his senior season. Heisler owns the ninth fastest 8K time on the men's side in program history with a 26:30. The senior also has four of the top 10 fastest 6K times for Walla Walla. His final season with the Wolves will start slightly later due to a summer internship, but Svilich expects "really big things" from him once he is back in uniform.

The men's roster has not seen the growth in numbers that the women's side has, but the team is filled with experience. Isaac Acker had strong numbers last season and ran a 15:17 time during his three-mile trial. Ryan Rosaasen finished 60th in the CCC Championships last year and looks to improve on that time in his sophomore year. 

"With the men, even though we don't have the numbers, we've got enough front-end talent to make some noise and turn heads at championship races," Svilich said.
The trio are joined by returner Adrian Vera Preas who Svilich said had a strong summer of training. Newcomers Seth Huxel and Jordan Butcher add depth to the roster and will both be in the mix to post the fifth counted time for the team.

"We've got a group that could surprise some people in the Cascade Conference," Svilich said. "Honestly, there's a good chance our men's 8K and women's 6K team records could fall this year. That's how high the ceiling is."

After the race on Friday, the Wolves will take part in the Ash Creek Collegiate in Monmouth, Ore. on Sept. 12. WWU returns to the Sasquatch Open in Spokane, Wash. on Oct. 24 and the CCC Championship in Salem, Ore. on Nov. 7.

Stay up to date with all things Wolves Athletics at uwolves.com and on social media @theuwolves.