Patriots Open 2025 Cross Nation Season at Spider Alumni Open

FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason males’s and ladies’s cross nation groups are set to open the 2025 season this Saturday, August 30, on the Richmond Spider Alumni Open hosted by the University of Richmond. The meet will happen at Pole Green Park in Mechanicsville, Va., with the primary race scheduled to start at 9 a.m.

The Spider Alumni Open has develop into a staple in Mason’s early-season schedule, offering the Patriots with an early alternative to compete towards sturdy regional applications and consider their progress at the beginning of the autumn marketing campaign.

This week, the Atlantic 10 Conference introduced its preseason polls. Mason’s males’s group was picked third total, trailing solely Loyola Chicago and La Salle, in accordance with the men’s preseason poll. While the ladies’s group was additionally chosen third, behind Loyola Chicago and La Salle, within the women’s preseason poll. Both squads will look to construct on that recognition as they embark on the brand new season.

“While it’s still very early for us from a training and racing perspective, we’re primed to get the season underway!” stated head coach Andrew Gerard. “On both sides, we return the core of our lineups from last year so there’s some solid ‘knowns’ from the 2024 season, but there’s always so much development that happens since the end of the last season, nine months ago and through the track season, that every year is just a really exciting new beginning. I’m very much anticipating seeing where people are at coming off of the summer!”

Associate head coach Tony Mihalich emphasised the sturdy basis constructed throughout preseason. “Preseason went pretty well, and it was great to have the first few sessions back together,” stated Mihalich. “I think the team picked up on some positive new energy for this season, even though we only have two newcomers on the roster. That is a pretty good sign that the returners have developed, trained, and are eagerly stepping into new roles. The Spider Invite is always a fun one to kick the tires on. Pole Green feels like a home course for us now. It’s early days, but we are excited to see where we are at!”

The meet will characteristic a 6k race for the boys and a 4k race for the ladies. Mason will look to mix skilled returners with newcomers making their collegiate debuts within the Green and Gold.

 

Following the season opener, the Patriots will journey to Annapolis, Md., for the Navy Invitational on Saturday, September 6.