BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Lynn University cross country program enters the 2025 season with confidence, renewed energy, and a clear focus on breaking into the top tier of the Sunshine State Conference at SSC Championships in late October.
 
Fourth-year head coach Junior Cadet has seen steady growth across both squads, pointing to depth, leadership, and a strong offseason training base as reasons for optimism.
 
"Cross country is about a team effort. It's not an individual," Cadet said. "The more the guys learn how to run with each other or the more the women learn how to run with each other, that's what's going to get us in that top five, top four."
 
On the women's side, experience and leadership headline the roster. Seniors Brooke Bond and Skyler Gillett provide stability, while sophomore Jessica Lombardo returns as a top performer. Add in the arrival of newcomers Rosemary Selke and Josie Harshbarger, and Cadet believes the group has the tools to make a leap.
 
"I think we can truly break into the top three if we have the breakout season I know we're capable of," Cadet said.
 
For the men, youth and fresh faces are set to make an impact. Though the program graduated key contributors Luke Sweatman and Cameron Matejka among others, sophomore returner Chris Coletta has emerged as a leader.
 
"Chris took summer training seriously, his mechanics are different, and he understands exactly what I'm looking for," Cadet noted.
 
Freshmen Daniel Reyes and Ethan Barnett are also expected to contribute immediately.
 
Behind the scenes, Lynn has shifted its training model to give athletes a stronger foundation. This year, training started earlier in the summer for both teams. The result: tighter times and a sharper focus.
 
"This year, our athletes started training earlier," Cadet explained. "Everyone came back in shape, so now the focus is on hitting the times we need instead of just getting in shape. In our preseason workouts, everybody was only one or two seconds apart. That shows how close we are to where we need to be."
 
The Fighting Knights also benefit from the addition of assistant coach Shania Collins, whose technical expertise has helped refine mechanics and sharpen practices. "That's been huge for us," Cadet said.
 
Just last week, the Fighting Knight women's team was picked to finish sixth in the SSC Coaches' Preseason Poll while the men were picked seventh. However Coach Cadet stresses that the polls are only starting points.
 
"It's not where you start, it's where you finish," he said. "If we get just 2% better throughout the season, we'll be in the top four. That's what we focus on, constant improvement."
 
With the season opener at the Keiser Invitational just a little over a week out on September 5, the message is clear: consistency and heart will define 2025.
 
"The first meet is all about who wants to compete," Cadet said. "Do you have the heart to be a champion? That's all that matters."