Roster | Schedule
 
KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The Kutztown University men's cross country team is ready to run in 2021, returning back to a fall schedule with its season-opener at Adelphi University Friday afternoon.
 
"It's great being back and seeing the excitement that our athletes are showing to be able to race again," said head coach Ray Hoffman in his 24th season at the helm. "This squad as a whole has shown that they want to be challenged and are looking to bring the success of the program to the next level."
 
The Golden Bears competed in just two meets last year, both in March, due to the fall season cancelling because of the pandemic. They ran at Shippensburg and in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championships at Lock Haven. Kutztown didn't field its usual full roster at PSACs and, thus, was not included in the final team standings. KU placed fifth in 2019 and will look to match that effort this upcoming season.
 
Prior to the start of the regular season, Hoffman named seniors Giordanovenchy Cerisier (North Wales, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) and Andrew Sulon (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg), along with junior Ryan Smith (North Plainfield, N.J./North Plainfield) as team captains. Smith and Sulon claimed All-PSAC Second Team honors in 2020.
 
"Our team captains are individuals who understand that individual success leads to the overall team's success," Hoffman said. "They are individuals who don't take short cuts, lead by example and raise the level of work in their teammates. Andrew, Gio and Ryan have displayed some of the best work ethic that I have ever seen come through this program. These three guys should make some noise this season and I couldn't ask for better leaders."
 
Hoffman also mentioned having a host of new talent that will be key contributors as well this season, including junior Matt Salazar (Rockaway, N.J./Morris Hills), sophomores Logan Iacobelli (Breinigsville, Pa./Parkland), Christian McComb (Bechtelsville, Pa./Boyertown) and Luke Sisco (Levittown, Pa./Neshaminy), as well as freshmen Port Habalar (Williamsport, Pa./South Williamsport), Jack Hollar (East Stroudsburg, Pa./Pocono Mountain East), Anthony Kositz (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth), Elisha Stigora (West Chester, Pa./West Chester Rustin) and Domenick Wallace (Rockaway, N.J./Morris Hills).
 
Along with the Adelphi Invitational, Kutztown will host its annual Division II/III Challenge on the North Campus course on Saturday, Sept. 18. KU will also race at the Paul Short Run at Lehigh University on Friday, Oct. 1, and will stay near Bethlehem when it competes at DeSales University on Saturday, Oct. 9. Kutztown University will host the PSAC Championships on Friday, Oct. 22.