SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Drury cross country opens its 2025 season Friday, Sept. 5, at the Bearcat Invite, hosted by Southwest Baptist at Bolivar Municipal Golf Course in Bolivar, Mo.
 
The Drury men's team returns as the reigning champion of the event. Two returning runners, Tyler Harris and Ethan Haynes, finished second and ninth last year, with times of 19:52.30 and 20:36.38, respectively. The men are picked to finish second at the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Championship this season.
 
On Sept. 3, the USTFCCCA announced its preseason rankings, with the Drury men ranked No. 26. The Panthers rank second-highest from the GLVC and stand sixth in the Midwest Region.
 
The Drury women's team placed fourth last year at the Bearcat Invite. Josie Diffendaffer finished 10^th last year with a time of 18:46.11. The women are picked to finish fifth in the GLVC this season.
 
The following weekend, the Panthers stay in Springfield for the Queen City Classic, hosted by Missouri State. In October, the teams will travel to Fayetteville, Ark., to compete in the Chile Pepper Festival, hosted by Arkansas. 
 
The postseason begins Oct. 25 when the Panthers travel to Romeoville, Ill., for the GLVC Championship. The NCAA-II Midwest Regional is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 8, in Kenosha, Wis. 
 
Head coach Luke Karamitros returns in his second year leading the cross country programs. 
 
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