(WILMINGTON, Ohio) - The Wilmington College women's cross country team will attempt to build on recent successes in 2026. Led by super sophomore
Morgan Blair, the women's team has a deep group capable of competing at a much higher level this season.
Key Returners
Blair returns as the Quakers top runner this season, looking to continue the momentum of her sensational freshman campaign, a season in which she ran 23:39 in the 6k and claimed second-team All-OAC honors. Cross country, however, served as a precursor to an explosion during last spring's track-and-field season, when Blair put up personal best after personal best and claimed All-OAC honors in both the 5000 meter and 3000 meter runs in indoor track and field before narrowly missing out on them in outdoor track and field. Blair will lead the Quakers into battle this season with eyes on her first career First-Team All-OAC selection in cross country.
Joining Blair at the front of the pack will be senior
Hayden Setty, who has earned five previous All-Conference selections in track-and-field and boasts impressive personal bests of 20:59 in the 5k, 25:20 in the 6k, and 2:15 in the 800-meter run. Setty will attempt to claim All-Conference honors in cross country for the first time this season, and along with Blair should form a dynamic duo that will be the envy of many in the conference. Add in senior
Avery Vance, who first joined the Quakers last season and ran excellent times of 21:50 for 5k and 26:14 for 6k, and the Quakers are sure to have a formidable trio carrying their banner this fall.
Other returners to the Quakers include sophomores
Addison Naus (23:27 and 27:22 in the 5k and 6k as a freshman, respectively)
DaShae Washington (23:39 and 28:17), and
Heather Dutenhaver (24:50 and 29:57) all of whom look to build on strong freshman seasons and contribute strongly this fall. Also returning is junior
Leah Gorby (25:57 and 32:12).
Newcomers
In addition to the Quakers strong returning cast are a litany of promising newcomers, notably former Little Miami runner
Sophia France, owner of a 19:06 personal best in the 5k and 11:38 personal best in the 3200 meter run, and
Etta Moore of Eastern Brown High School, who ran 23:34 in the 5k and 15:02 in the 3200 meter run.
Two Quakers will join the team for their first ever cross country seasons this fall. Sophomores Ryleigh Saterlee and
Channing Toy will have an entirely new experience running on the grass. Toy caught the running fever after playing on Wilmington's softball team last spring, while Saterlee is a first-time collegiate athlete. Returning to the team after a season off the course is senior
Meghan Cory, who has a career best time of 23:40 in the 6k and 20:49 in the 5k.
Coaching Staff
Coaching the Quakers for his 30th season will be
Ron Combs, who has a remarkable list of commendations and accolades. He brings unrivaled passion and experience and a unique perspective on the sport.
Combs chief assistant is
Josh Cyrus, who enters his fourth season as a full-time cross country and track-and-field assistant.
Joining the staff for the first time is intern
Gabe Moore, a veteran of the men's cross country team. Former Quakers and longtime volunteer coaches
Tony Goodrich and
Cameron Phelps return to help coach the Quakers to success.
What to Watch For
As a whole, the women's cross country team returns a deep group capable of breaking down significant barriers this fall. Between returning stars and new talent, the Quakers have a nucleus capable of competing at a high level.
They will have plenty of chances to prove themselves. Their most notable meets are the Grizzly Invite (September 5th), Louisville Cross Country Classic (October 3rd), in Wilmington for the JennaStrong Fall Classic (October 16th), at the OAC championships (October 31st) and Great Lakes Regional Championship (November 14th).
