Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
Vincennes University

Trailblazers Cross Country Poised for Breakthrough Season

Trailblazers Cross Country Poised for Breakthrough Season
August 28, 2025

VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University Men's and Women's Cross Country programs enter the 2025 season with renewed optimism, fresh faces, and a deep core of returners eager to build on last fall's success. Under the guidance of Head Coach Tyler Steigenga, the Trailblazers look to continue their rise at the regional and national levels with a determination to build on tradition and set a new standard for Trailblazer excellence.

That progress is already being recognized on the national stage, as both the VU men's and women's teams enter the year ranked No. 16 in the preseason edition of the 2025 NJCAA Division I Cross Country National Coaches' Poll, released August 27th by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Looking Back at 2024

The Trailblazer men successfully defended their NJCAA Region 24 Championship in Normal, Ill., sweeping the top five spots to secure the title for a second straight year. Their momentum carried into the NJCAA National Championships, where the men placed 14th overall, surpassing their pre-race ranking and posting one of the fastest team times in program history. The season concluded with a seventh-place team finish at the NJCAA Half Marathon Championships, cementing what was already a strong season for the Trailblazers.

"Last season was one of our biggest teams ever on the men's side," Steigenga said. "Our sophomores really set the tone and paved the way for the guys who came after them. We finished 14th in a very competitive field, and that was a big step forward for our program."

The VU women mirrored the men's success by also defending their Region 24 crown, placing four runners in the top 10. At the NJCAA National Championships, the women finished 19th overall, climbing two spots above their national ranking. They closed the season with a seventh-place team finish at the NJCAA Half Marathon Championships, matching the men and showing their ability to compete on the biggest stage.

"Our women showed flashes of just how good they can be," Steigenga said. "The half marathon proved we can run with anyone, and it set the stage for what I believe could be one of the best women's teams in program history."

Sophomore Leaders Leave Their Mark

Several of last year's sophomores have continued their running careers at four-year universities. Tanner Spence and Nathan Whitehead transferred to the University of Evansville, while Adi Fuller moved on to Morehead State. Their leadership set the standard for the next group of Trailblazers now ready to step into bigger roles.

A New Season, A New Look

The Trailblazer men return a smaller but talented roster. Leading the way is sophomore Anis Abdaoui, fresh off a record-setting freshman year in which he captured the Region 24 individual title, set a new school mark (24:59.5) in the 8K at nationals, and shattered the half marathon record (1:08:44) previously held by Robert Murphy. "Anis is well ahead of where he was last year and is training to be in All-American contention. It's a tall task, but he's capable," Steigenga said.

Abdaoui will be joined by classmate Lane Connaway, who Steigenga believes is poised for a breakout year. "Lane didn't take running seriously until he got here, but now he's on a whole different level. I think he's primed for huge improvement," he said. Key newcomers expected to make an immediate impact include Seth Weaver, Evan Daley, and Malachi Black, all of whom could factor into the top five. "We'll be leaning on some freshmen to step into bigger roles. Transitioning from high school 5Ks to college 8Ks is never easy, but we've seen good things early," Steigenga said.

The VU women enter 2025 with their deepest and most promising roster in recent history. Sophomore Sarra Belgacem returns as a proven leader, building off a breakout freshman season where she led the team at regionals, nationals, and in the half marathon. She is joined by returners Alexis Hale and Allie Black, both primed to continue their upward trajectory. "Alexis really came alive last year, and her summer has been awesome. She's ready to make a big jump that's going to have a huge impact," Steigenga said.

A talented freshman class adds more firepower. Tunisian standout Ikram Dorai has already turned heads. "It's looking like she's going to shatter our school records in the 5K and half marathon. She'll be a great number one runner for us," Steigenga said. Freshman Madison Senne also drew praise for her progress: "She doesn't have a lot of cross country experience, but she's taken her training to another level. Seeing her hang with Alexis in workouts shows just how much potential she has."

With 11 athletes, the women's depth sets them apart. "This is the biggest women's roster we've had in a long time, and I think it could be one of the best teams we've ever had here. It's not crazy to think we could top our best-ever finish at nationals. That's the standard we're chasing," Steigenga said.

Training and Growth

Preseason training has been encouraging across the board. "For some who struggled to train on their own, having teammates around makes a huge difference. The accountability has been really good. We're emphasizing smart racing and sustainable training — not going out too hard and fading, but learning to maximize efficiency and potential," Steigenga explained.

The men's focus will be on building depth behind Abdaoui and Connaway, while the women continue sharpening their competitive edge with their strongest lineup in years. "Learning to handle longer distances is the big key," Steigenga said. "For the men, it's moving up to the 8K, and for the women, it's more 6Ks and, of course, the half marathon. Those adjustments will determine how far we can go."

Season Outlook

VU's 2025 season begins with invitationals in Evansville and Terre Haute. The Trailblazers will open at the University of Southern Indiana Screagle Twilight (August 29) before lining up at the John McNichols Invitational (September 20). A midseason highlight will see the Blazers race under the lights at Indiana State University's Nike XC Town Twilight (October 3).

The postseason begins close to home as VU hosts the Region 24 Championships (October 24) at Prides Creek Park in Petersburg—the program's first time hosting in five years. From there, the Trailblazers turn their focus to the NJCAA National Championships (November 8) in Fort Dodge, Iowa, followed by the NJCAA Half Marathon Championships (November 11).

"Our goal is to defend the region championship, and I believe we have the depth and leadership to do it," Steigenga said. "At nationals, I believe our men can push toward the top half of the field, while our women have the talent to break into the top third. With the blend of experienced returners and a strong freshman class, this group is ready to make a big jump and show just how far Trailblazer Cross Country has come."

Building on Tradition

Steigenga points to leadership and culture as the foundation of the program's growth. "Sarah, Alexis, Lane, and Anis have been great about bringing the freshmen along. The team bond is already forming, and with the miles we put in, that only gets stronger," he said.

He also emphasized balance: "I really focus on making sure everyone feels valued. When each individual knows their contribution matters, it makes it easier to develop a strong team identity. On race day, you see teammates pushing each other rather than running alone."

Looking ahead, Steigenga is optimistic: "I think we can do some things we've never done before. This group is hardworking, resilient, and motivated. It's not for the faint of heart, but I believe their results will speak for themselves."

With a combination of proven leaders, rising underclassmen, and one of the deepest women's rosters in program history, the Trailblazers enter 2025 determined to not just compete, but to raise the standard of what VU Cross Country can achieve.

Join the Journey

As always, fans can keep up with the Vincennes University Cross Country squad all year long through a number of ways: