SASKATOON, Sask. - The University of Saskatchewan (USask) Huskie Cross Country team is set to make its 2025 debut this Saturday, officially beginning the path to the 2025 Canada West Cross Country Championships in Victoria, British Columbia (Oct. 25), and the U SPORTS Cross Country Championships in Sherbrooke, Quebec (Nov. 8).
Following a successful 2024 campaign which saw the Huskie Men's team return to the Canada West podium for the first time in over two decades, the Dogs will be hungry to carry that momentum into a new season and once again prove they are one of the best programs in the conference. Meanwhile, the USask women will be looking to once again capture a medal finish after finishing just off the conference podium a season ago.
2024 Recap
CW Finish - Men: 3rd
CW Finish Women: 4th
U SPORTS Finish - Men: 13th
U SPORTS Finish - Women: 13th
2024 Canada West All-Stars:
Kaitlyn Harrison - 2nd Team
Alexander Webster - 2nd Team
Quintan Fast - 2nd Team
Jenica Swartz - 2nd Team
"Every year comes with excitement, and this year is no different" said
Jason Reindl, who enters his 9th season as head coach of the cross country program. "The men's team is confident and looking to build off last season's success while the women are looking to establish a foundation they can rely on in the future. As always, we are excited to open with the Dakota Classic and the head to Victoria for the conference championships and Sherbrooke for nationals."
The 2025 season kicks off with the third annual Dakota Classic, hosted by the Huskie Cross Country team at the Whitecap Dakota First Nation. Formerly known as the Sled Dog Open, the teams commitment to reconciliation in action first started in 2018 after the USask Cross Country program embarked on an annual tradition of wearing orange competition uniforms in support of Every Child Matters and Truth and Reconciliation. In 2019, competitors from across the conference joined in, then in 2023 the race moved to Whitecap Dakota First Nation, the first and only self-governing First Nation in Saskatchewan.
Following the historic finish last season, the Huskie Men's Cross Country team returns nearly intact, with just one departure in senior Quintan Fast, leaving a strong and experienced core ready to build on last year's success. Veteran student-athletes
Alexander Webster,
Kaiden Deck,
Anthony Antaya, and
Jacob White have all shown strong progression in preparation for the new season, returning to the team healthy and motivated. Each of Webster (12th), Deck (18th), Antaya (15th), and White (26th) all contributed to last season's bronze medal, finishing in scoring positions to help the Dogs finish just one point back of second place.
Rookie
Bennett Friesen has also turned heads early, showing the potential to crack the Huskie top seven and be a key contributor come race day.
With eight-kilometer races serving as a true equalizer, experience will be key, and this group has it in spades. The team is hungry, focused and ready to compete against a deep Canada West field in Victoria later this fall.
On the women's side, the team enters the 2025 season in a retooling phase after graduating several fifth-year student-athletes who were foundational in past conference podium finishes. Despite the roster featuring a younger group, the team is laying the groundwork for future success.
Angelina Beveridge-Warick and
Samantha Stewart return to the fold healthy and expected be pivotal pieces along with 2025 captain
Brooklyn Roney. Returning for her second season with the team,
Morgan Tiede will also bring valuable experience to the lineup. Finally, newcomers
Petra Tymko and Kyra Shelton will look to add fresh energy into the squad.
Despite this season featuring a new-look line up on race day and a year for growth and learning, the pieces are in place to be excited about what's to come for the Huskie Women's Cross Country team.
