LOUDONVILLE, NY – Before the summertime, the Siena Cross Country teams came together to discuss what their mantra would be for the new season and the Saints decided that "keep showing up" fit that bill. 

Rising senior runner Faith Skowvron described it as such, "We talked as a team, came together and we decided on 'bring everything you can—whether that is just being a good teammate and uplifting each other in the workout or giving it your all throughout the workout. Whatever it is on the day—just keep showing up.'" 

The Saints made good on that promise on Tuesday morning at Schuyler Flats in Watervliet.

Running through the raindrops, the Siena Cross Country teams weathered the dark clouds and muddy shoes for practice ahead of Friday's season opener in Poughkeepsie for the Marist Opener at Vassar Farms and Ecological Preserve beginning at 5:45 p.m. for the men in a 6k race and a 6:30 p.m. start for the women in what will be a 5k event.

"We got a lot of the same guys, but a lot of new guys, too. The freshmen are looking amazing. I think a lot of the guys are fit," said graduate student Tyler Greene, who clocked in a personal-best 24:41.8 in last year's 8K Jasper Fall XC Invitational.

"We're coming strong. Rain or shine, we don't care. We are coming at it. And, we're happy, too. I think that's the biggest thing. As a team, we're hanging out all the time. It's a great time." 

Teams competing on Friday also include UAlbany, Fairfield, and host Marist. 

The Great Danes were ranked ninth in both America East Preseason Polls while the Fairfield Men were ranked 10^th while the women checked in seventh in the Metro polling. Host Marist earned 143 votes on the men's side to rank second, one spot ahead of Siena (141 votes) while the Red Foxes were placed third in the women's poll and the Saints were polled in ninth place. Both Marist teams finished in first place in this same event last season to kick off the season among this same field excluding Iona. The Gaels opted for the Panthers Invitational in Farmington, NY at Adelphi.

Fourth-year Siena head coach Elizabeth DeBole believes if the team stays locked in that they'll be able to surprise many.

"I'm really excited," said coach DeBole.

"And I told them that. This is going to be a really fun year. We just need everyone locked in and I think we can surprise a lot of people— including us."

Top returners on the men's side for Siena will also be graduate student Jackson Cayward (ran a PR 24:12.9 in the 8K at the Paul Short run last season) as well as senior Colin Brunelle (PR was 24:44.2 at the 2025 conference championships).

On the women's side, Skowvron ran a season-best 6K time of 22:15.7 at last season's conference championships.

Additionally, newcomers like freshmen Emma Tjersland, Gabrielle Bedard and Caitlyn Murphy all have experience running cross country on their former high school squads.

Tjersland finished 26^th overall in the New York State Cross Country Championships at Hauppauge High School while Bedard ran an 18:55 in the 5k at Pinkerton Academy in Auburn, NH. 

Murphy finished sixth in the 2024 New York State Cross Country Championships (18:16) of the Wallkill High School team.