NAMPA, Idaho - Northwest Nazarene University Men's and Women's Cross Country teams hope to build on the successful 2025 season. The 2025 men's team placed third in the GNAC conference and earned an at-large bid to nationals, a first in program history. The 2025 women's team showed signs of promise and finished sixth in conference.
To remain competitive in the GNAC, Coach Greg Mitchell will need to find replacements for some of the greatest distance runners in NNU history. Coach Mitchell reported, "We've got strong returners and some really talented freshman and transfers on both the men's and women's teams. The women have been in the shadow of the men's successes the past couple of years, and this might be the year they emerge and really shine. Both teams should be very competitive this fall. It'll be fun to watch."
As we anticipate the season opener on September 4^th, let's take a deeper look at who was lost, who is returning, and who is joining the team.
Women
Key departures: Morgan Erler finished her NNU XC career as one of the most decorated distance runners in program history. She ended 2025 as a First Team All-GNAC performer (6^th) as well as a USTFCCA All-Region finisher (19^th). NNU also lost experienced distance racers in Keelin Stewart and Casey Collum. Steward and Collum combined for 11 races in 2025 alone.
Key returners: NNU returns a strong varsity core from 2025 consisting of Hazel Kunkel, Zoey Stauffer, McKenna Lechner, Becca Darwood, Ella Bartlett, and Madison Ingram. Additional returning 2025 contributors include Jordan Gram, Alyssa Blum, and Jenna Davis. Furthermore, senior Paige Trautman looks to return from injury and could push for scoring position on the team.
Key additions: Transfer students Cameron Moore (Utah State) and Hailey Jackson (Bushnell) have experience racing at 6K and will likely vie for scoring positions. New freshmen members will need to adjust to the 6K distance but still have a strong chance to contribute to the varsity racing team. Abigail Duncan, Amelia Johns, June Nemrow, and Emma Troxler will look to make an impact as newcomers.
Statistical analysis: Comparing XC times can be misleading, various courses and finish times are hard to compare due to elevation gain/loss, racing conditions, altitude, tactical racing/competition, health status, etcetera. Based on lifetime 5K PR's NNU women have a very robust competition for top-7 positions.
Men
Key departures: Brody Kemble and Grady Mylander were the top two finishers for NNU in every race of 2025. Both were First Team All-GNAC finishers (Kemble 5^th, Mylander 3^rd) and USTFCCA All-Region runners (Mylander 3^rd, Kemble 11^th). Additional departures include veterans Aaron Heberlein, Jonah Rau, Neftali Menendez, and Asher Ingram. NNU fans will long remember Ingram's inspired showing at the 2026 GNAC outdoor TF championships.
Key returners: NNU returns two experienced runners from the 2025 Nationals Team. Ian Stockett finished 2025 with First Team All-GNAC (7^th) and USTFCCA All-Region (12^th) honors. Micah Chi reliably finished in the top-7 for NNU in each race of the 2025 season. Additional returners include Christian Gump, Evan Bennett, Emmett Stouffer, Brandon Markle, Finnley Olson, Grant Petty, Noah Eichenbusch, Timothy Bradshaw, and Zachary Tatro.
Key additions: Transfer students Luke Stockett (Utah State) and Nolan Oyler (Spokane CC) will bring crucial experience to the Nighthawk roster. L Stockett holds the NNU indoor record at 800m and became the first NNU man ever to capture a GNAC title at 1500m during the 2026 outdoor TF championships. The incoming freshman class includes Emmitt Warren, Gavin Beckman, Izayah Palmer, Jeshua Seebart, Mason Ritter, and Owen Smith.
Statistical analysis: Statistical comparison for the men is even more complicated because the men race at longer distances. At the NCAA DII West Regional and the DII National Cross Country Championship races the men compete at 10K. For every other race on the calendar this season the men will race 8K. It's hard to predict how newcomers will transition to enhanced distances. Behind the returning members of the 2025 Nationals team and experienced transfer students, the remaining scoring positions on the team could go to anyone. Coach Mitchell will rely on veteran returners or incoming freshman to impress if the Nighthawk men want to maintain their status in the GNAC.
Key Dates: Look for the Nighthawks to be tested at the Clash of the Inland Northwest September 4^th in Spokane, WA (weather/smoke permitting). See the Nighthawks race locally in Nampa on Friday, Septer 18^th. Take flight with the team to the prestigious Lewis Crossover Invite in Illinois on Saturday, October 10^th.