WARREN, Mich. – Following a 2024 campaign highlighted by a MCCAA Eastern Conference Championship and a 10^th place finish at the NJCAA Division II National Championship, the 2025 season is a year of high expectations for fourth-year head coach Matt Fecht and the 14^th ranked Macomb men's cross country team.

2024 Rewind
Capped off by a top 10 finish at nationals, last season ranks among the most successful in the storied history of the men's program, thanks to a total of seven top 10 finishes that included three runner-up placements and a pair of first place finishes. The Monarchs won their first event of 2024 on Sept. 20 at their home course of Baypoint Beach at Stony Creek Metropark when they captured the 2024 MCCAA Eastern Conference crown. The team later went on to win Asbury University's (Ky.) Spoon Fiercely Faithful title on Oct. 12.

Three runner-up finishes also highlighted the strong campaign as the Monarchs came in second at the MCCAA and Region 12 Championships after taking second of five teams at the Ray Helsing Invitational, hosted by Ferris State University.

Meet The Roster
With top returner Dylan Penberthy sidelined via injury for the upcoming season, twin brother Brandon Penberthy and Jack DeWaele lead the cast of talented active returners who helped the program return to form last year. Brandon finished 33^rd at nationals and recorded a 8K PR of 26:15.9 to cross the finish line in fourth place at the MCCAA/NJCAA Region 12 Championships.

Both Penberthy brothers were NJCAA All-Americans or NJCAA Coaches Association All-Americans in 2024.

DeWaele is back for season two donning the Blue & White and is poised to take the next step after a stellar freshman campaign that featured a PR of 27:43.3 at Ferris State's Ray Helsing Invitational.

Mathieu Fortier is another strong returner for Fecht and the Monarchs this season. Fortier ended his freshman season with an 8K best of 29:10.3 at the MCCAA/NJCAA Region 12 Championships.

A trio of freshmen join the returning cast as Jacob Kosidlo, Lucas LaMilza, and Michael Nivala Jr. enter the season with high expectations after enjoying successful high school careers. Kosidlo and Nivala Jr. both hail from perennial power Lakeland High School while LaMilza, the brother of 2023 NJCAA Division II All-American Ava LaMilza, comes to Macomb after competing for the always-strong Dakota High School program.

Season Opener
The Monarchs kick off the 2025 season Friday (Aug. 29) at the Skipper Showcase at Goodells County Park in Goodells, Mich. The men's 8K is slated for a 10 a.m. start with the women's 5K to follow at 10:45 a.m. Live results for both of Friday's races can be found here: https://live.fstiming.com/meets/55431.

A Look Ahead
Following the season-opening meet at Goodells County Park, the Monarchs will be in action one week later (Sept. 6) at Ferris State's Ray Helsing Invitational.

The MCCAA Eastern Conference Championship will be hosted by Macomb for the second straight year and will take place on Sept. 26 at Stony Creek Metropark. Race time for the conference championship is scheduled for 12 p.m. (11 a.m. men's race) at Baypoint Beach.

A trip to Kentucky awaits after the conference title meet when the Monarchs visit Louisville for the SWAGS Louisville Cross Country Classic on Oct. 4. Two weeks later, the Monarchs will head north to University Center for the SVSU Red October Run (Oct. 17) before wrapping up the regular season at the MCCAA/NJCAA Region 12 Championships on Oct. 24 at Goodells County Park.

The 2025 NJCAA Division II National Championship is set for Nov. 8 at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

For the full 2025 schedule, please visit: https://macombmonarchs.com/sports/mens-cross-country/schedule.