The Goshen College men’s cross-country team has opened the season ranked 16th in the NAIA Men’s Cross-Country Coaches’ Top 25 Rating, their highest ranking since 2023.

 After finishing 17th in last year’s final standings they look to continue climbing the rankings with the addition of nine new first-years and five transfers. 

Rustin Nyce, the team’s head coach, said that the runners were “just focused on their individual growth.”

“I don’t think anybody said anything about their rankings, really … it’s not something that we think about often,” Nyce said. 

Lisa Voyles, the team’s associate head coach, spoke similarly about their Top 25 ranking. “The rankings don’t seem to be something that’s at the forefront of our minds … that just tends to be its own thing that’s happening.” 

Jesse Bontrager, a junior runner, said, “We had a few guys graduate, but have brought in some new talent,” referring to the additions of first-years Jesse Songo and Emmanuel Kimayo. “The addition of these two creates a dynamic top group.” 

 The Maple Leafs are competing against the likes of ranked teams including Indiana Wesleyan University, Marian University, Taylor University and Spring Arbor University. 

On Oct. 24,  the team will compete in the NAIA Great Lakes Challenge. “That’s where a lot of the regional and sometimes out of our region competition comes. … So, that’s the big test to solidify your spot,” Nyce said. 

But for now, they hope to use each meet as its own goal. 

Regarding the coaches’ expectations for the team to achieve success, Voyles shared, “[We’re] striving to be the best versions of ourselves.” Nyce added, “Just showing up and giving your best every day … that’s what they’re doing.”    

From an athlete’s perspective, Bontrager sees success. “Being able to cross the line knowing that you gave it your best … when the gun goes off at Nationals in Vancouver having done everything we can to succeed,” he said.

The men’s team has found success the last four years being ranked inside the NAIA Men’s Cross-Country Coaches’ Top 25 Rating. Nyce describes the ratings as, “Ingrained in the culture to be at the national meet … finding ways to improve as coaches in the way we approach the athletes and introduce the season.” 

Voyles said, “You climb the mountain to see the view at the top.” She also emphasized that it’s a journey to get to the top, “[and] a journey that you can grow as a person, you can grow as an athlete to create who you want to be,” 

Bontrager said that the team’s gratitude for such high rankings drives the team to want to compete at the highest level. “[We’re] expecting it from ourselves and each other.” 

“This year feels different in the way we know what we can do, and are not afraid to get it,” Bontrager continued. He describes the workload as “intense,” but “well calculated,” knowing that everyone is ready to give their best effort at the end of the day.

The full men’s cross country schedule is available on goleafs.net.