BLUFFTON, Ohio - A mix of youth and experience has the Bluffton University Cross Country program excited to hit the course in 2024. Injuries slowed the Beavers last season, but the team is upbeat after an off-season of training and recovery.

Back for his final campaign with the Beavers is standout senior Cole Kropka (New London) who earned Honorable Mention All-HCAC recognition with a 19th-place finish. Kropka then followed that up with a time of 26:20.07 at the NCAA Regionals. It was the best time by a Bluffton harrier last year by nearly a minute!

Also returning for one more go around is Braeden Horn (Galion) who established himself as an outstanding Robin to Kropka's Batman. He was also at this best for the Regionals, running a 28:04.6 at Silver Creek in Norton, Ohio.

Junior Jarrod Roudebush (Coshocton) is back for year three, while Grant Beasley (Versailles), Micah Dodson (Wooster, Ohio/Central Christian) and Chandler McCafferty (West Liberty/West Liberty-Salem) all cut their teeth on collegiate competition in 2023.

One of Bluffton's all-time greats, Basil Gates (Galion) is back for a final season in 2024. Gates is a two-time All-HCAC Performer, earning Newcomer of the Year honors in 2021 and First Team recognition as a junior.

Head Coach Connor Gulick has high expectations for his Beavers in 2024 with seven returners, including six on the men's side. It will mark his third season for 2020 Bluffton graduate. Bluffton will once again host the Beaver Dam Invite on Friday, Aug. 30. Following trips to Indiana Wesleyan, Cedarville, OWU and Wilmington, the Beavers will head to Blue River for the 2024 Heartland Conference Championships and Great Lakes Regional.

-BEAVERS-