OKLAHOMA CITY – Winning never goes out of style and the 2025 Oklahoma City University cross country teams look to remain stylish.
 
The OCU men have won eight consecutive Sooner Athletic Conference titles and the women, also the defending SAC champions, have won nine of the last 10 crowns.
 
The OCU women enter the preseason at No. 25.
 
"My expectations for this season remain the same and expectations as previous seasons," said OCU coach Andrew Leahey. "We will compete at our highest level and do so with the Stars' integrity and grace. Our goal for both the men's and women's teams is to keep our winning streak for the SAC championship."
 
Returning Women
The Stars had six women make the All-Conference team last year and four of those return, including Erika Pena, Isabelle Spiller, Kamryn Boller and Makenzi Dehart.
 
Also back this season are Mattie Adams, Florencia Cabrera, Skye Gammon, Channey Guzman and Emily Schneider
 
Returning Men
The Stars had seven All-Conference performers on the men's side last year and all seven have moved on.
 
Returning Stars include Alexander Daly, Ayenew Devany, Belkhalfi Hamza, Robert Manzo, Ryan McLaughlin, Javier Medina, Jacoby Nance, Carson Patten, Hendrick Ramirez, Riley Randall, Jack Reed and Brayden Witthorne.
 
Highly Experienced
The returning athletes from both squads are veterans of college cross country and now what to expect.
 
"I expect everyone on the team to be a leader in their own way," Leahey said. "All returning junior and senior athletes share a collective wisdom and experience that will always be needed for guiding the younger incoming student-athletes. This team operates as a whole, and everyone has an opportunity to lead the chance presence itself."
 
Women's Newcomers
Three freshman from Pauls Valley join the OCU women this season. Isabella Gutierrez and twins Keira Readnour and Kenzi Readnour.
 
"On the women's side, we have a great incoming roster of three promising young athletes from Pauls Valley," said Leahey. "Keira and Kenzi Readnour, and Isabella Gutierrez. As they develop into the college level, I have no doubt that their talents will bring a new competitive advantage for our women's team."
 
Men's Newcomers
Freshman Cooper Phillips out of Ardmore (Plainview HS) and transfer Demarion Dean are on the cross country roster this season.
 
"On the guy's side, Cooper Phillips is a Plainview graduate who has great potential, and I am very excited to guide a fellow Plainview Indian further into his running career," said Leahey. "For when Track season rolls around, we have added Isaiah Smith and Demarion Dean to our roster, and I am excited to see their impact on your team's success."
 
The Schedule
OCU opens the season with a rare night run in Claremore at the Rogers State Distance after Dark on Sept. 4.
 
They also head to Stillwater for the Cowboy Jamboree on Sept. 26, to the Golden Eagle Invite in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, on Oct. 11, and then to Texas A&M's Arturo Barrios Invitational on Oct. 17.
 
OCU gets to defend its SAC Championship in Siloam Springs Nov. 8 and the season culminates in the NAIA Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, on Nov. 21.
 
"The meets that we are attending this cross-country season are designed to give opportunities to compete to the majority of our athletes," Leahey said. "OSU Jamboree is a local classic that is well known for its hills, and for that reason, gives our athletes a chance to not worry about time but to focus on competing tough! Texas A&M will give our top group the chance to compete at their highest level before Conference and Nationals."
 
The season begins at 10 p.m. in Claremore next Thursday.