CRESTON, Iowa – After finishing 22nd at last year's NJCAA National Championship, the Southwestern men's cross country team returns with experience, depth, and national expectations as it prepares for a five-meet regular season this fall.

The 2025 schedule features a mix of familiar courses and high-level competition across Iowa and the Midwest, including two meets at Lakeside Municipal Golf Course in Fort Dodge—home of both the Region XI Championship and the NJCAA National Championship.

Southwestern opens its season August 29 at the Bill Buxton Invitational, hosted at Pickard Park in Indianola. From there, the Spartans will travel west for the Greeno-Dirksen Invite on September 20 in Lincoln, Nebraska, where they'll compete against a deep field from all levels of collegiate cross country.

The heart of the schedule arrives in October with back-to-back appearances at the Seminole Valley Stampede (Oct. 4) and the Indian Hills Invitational (Oct. 10), both of which provide opportunities for Southwestern's pack to sharpen before the postseason begins.

Two sophomores with national championship experience return to anchor the lineup. They'll lead a roster that blends Iowa-based runners with national-level experience and incoming out-of-state talent looking to make an immediate impact.

The Spartans are targeting a return to NJCAA Nationals on Nov. 8, also held in Fort Dodge. Before that, the team will look to peak at the Region XI Championships on October 25, where depth and late-season form will be critical.

With a top-20 national ranking heading into last year's championship meet and a focused returning core, Southwestern is setting a clear goal: to qualify for Nationals again and deliver its best performance when it matters most.

�� 2025 Men's Cross Country Schedule

• Aug. 29 – Bill Buxton Invitational (Indianola, IA)

• Sept. 20 – Greeno-Dirksen Invite (Lincoln, NE)

• Oct. 4 – Seminole Valley Stampede (Cedar Rapids, IA)

• Oct. 10 – Indian Hills Invitational (Ottumwa, IA)

• Oct. 25 – Region XI Championships (Fort Dodge, IA)

• Nov. 8 – NJCAA National Championships (Fort Dodge, IA) *if qualified