Milwaukee City Wire

MILWAUKEE—The Panthers men's and women's cross country teams will begin their 2024 season on Saturday, Aug. 31 at the Tom Barry Invitational, hosted by St. Norbert in Green Bay, Wis.

The event will take place at Shorewood Cross Country Course on the campus of Green Bay. The women's 5k will start first at 10 a.m., followed by the men's 6k at 10:45 a.m.

This meet marks the first of six total regular-season events for the Panthers before they head back to the Horizon League Championships.

2023 Women's Recap

The Panther women aim to capture their fifth Horizon League championship in seven years in 2024. The new season begins with the Panthers picked to finish second in the Horizon League's preseason poll, receiving three first-place votes. After seeing their run of three consecutive championships end last year with a third-place finish at the Horizon League championships, they are focused on reclaiming their top spot.

The women return nine runners from last year, including their four best Horizon League finishers. Anelise Egge was their best finisher, taking fifth at the league championships last year. She will look to lead the Panthers back to the top in her junior season. Other notable returners include Rachel Helm, Ella Schmitz, and Eileen Tocco.

2023 Men's Recap

On the men's side, the Panthers seek to improve on a seventh-place finish in the Horizon League last year. Picked to finish sixth in this year's preseason poll, they will rely heavily on their 12 returning members to move up in standings.

Though the Panthers graduated their top two league finishers from last year, they have plenty of returning runners to depend on. Notable performers at last year's league championships included Carter Eckhoff, Lucas Picco, and Cullen Boyle. Picco earned Cross Country Freshman of the Week honors as well as Runner of the Week accolades last year.