PITTSBURGH – The Duquesne University men’s and women’s cross country teams are headed to the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships this Friday.
Meet Details
- Event: 2025 NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships
- Date/Time: Friday, Nov. 14, 2025 | 12:00 p.m.
- Location: Goodman Campus XC Course, Bethlehem, PA
- Races: Women’s 6K | Men’s 10K
The Team Lineup
Men’s Race (10K):
- Jacob Bonnar
- Brendan Burns
- Anthony Ciecierski
- Sam de la Riva
- Liam Kirkpatrick
- Ben Shields
- Mason Stewart
- Nathaniel Woshner
Women’s Race (6K):
- Emma Andreen
- Gina Bolla
- Lauren Ciuca
- Sylvia Kashak
- Kendall Lucas
- Elizabeth Pizon
- Kate Saum
- Sophia Trevenen
Team Highlights
Duquesne’s team is showing promise. In their last meet at the Saint Francis Red Flash Rally, freshmen Gianna Mosca and Kyle Kochanski secured individual titles. During the Atlantic 10 Championships, both teams placed 12th, with Gina Bolla finishing 33rd and Ben Shields coming in 42nd.
Sophomore Ben Shields has been the standout runner this season, consistently finishing in the top five at various races. He earned Atlantic 10 Performer of the Week honors after excelling at RMU.
Senior Gina Bolla has also made waves, grabbing wins at events like Youngstown State and setting a PR at the SFU Father Bede Invite. She was recognized as Performer of the Week after her impressive third-place finish at Carnegie Mellon.
Bolla is the sole returning runner from last year’s regional at Penn State, where she finished in 95th. Notably, she will be joined by Kate Saum, who raced in last year’s regionals as well. Ben Shields returns as the top runner, having also competed last year, along with Nathaniel Woshner and Mason Stewart, who are both looking to improve upon their previous times.
Qualifying for Nationals
At this regional event, the top two teams from each region will automatically qualify for the NCAA Division I Championships. The NCAA will also select 14 at-large teams, making a total of 32 competing teams. For individual runners, the top four finishers not on a qualifying team can also advance, adding to the excitement of this event.
Looking Ahead
Cross country running is gaining more traction in recent years, with more young athletes pursuing the sport. According to a recent survey by the National Federation of State High School Associations, participation in cross country increased by 10% in the last decade.
With all eyes on the championships, Duquesne’s teams are ready to showcase their hard work and determination. You can keep up with their journey at GoDuquesne.com.
As the excitement builds, it will be interesting to see how these athletes rise to the challenge, not only competing against their peers but also striving to qualify for national honors. The camaraderie, competition, and commitment make this sport unique and inspiring.
