CALDWELL, Idaho – The College of Idaho cross country program enters 2025 with championship expectations on both sides of the ledger. The women's team, the 2023 national champions, extended their CCC dominance in 2024 by winning their sixth consecutive conference title, breaking the conference record for consecutive championships, and enter 2025 ranked No. 1 in the league. The men's team, fresh off capturing the first NAIA national title in school history last fall, was picked No. 2 in the Cascade Collegiate Conference preseason coaches' poll.
Women's Team
The defending CCC champions return a pair of All-Americans in
Kylee Quinton and
Julia Gilbert, who finished third and fourth, respectively, at last year's conference meet. Quinton, a national runner-up in the steeplechase, posted a 22:01 6k personal best last fall, while Gilbert was 35th at the NAIA Championships after clocking 21:45 for 6k.
A significant addition comes in the form of
Rozzlynn Cazier, a transfer from the College of Southern Idaho and a two-time NJCAA All-American. She will be joined by an incoming class featuring promising freshmen
Ainsley Bowen,
Paiten Braseth, and
Macy Eggert, all of whom bring strong track credentials to the program.
The Yotes will look to absorb the graduation and departure of multiple top-seven runners, including last year's conference champion, while relying on the mix of proven veterans and talented newcomers to remain at the front of the CCC pack.
Women's Cross Country – 2025 CCC Preseason Coaches' Poll
- College of Idaho (10) – 141
- LC State (2) – 123
- Eastern Oregon – 118
- Southern Oregon – 113
- Oregon Tech – 85
- Northwest – 79
- Multnomah – 67
- Corban – 66
- Bushnell – 62
- Warner Pacific – 38
- Walla Walla – 21
Men's Team
Returning as defending NAIA national champions, the C of I men's program brings back three conference scorers in
Oclan Ryan,
Isaac Anttonen, and
Casey Crumley, each of whom placed inside the top 50 at last year's CCC Championships. All three are expected to step forward in 2025 after strong summers of training.
The Yotes bolster their roster with impactful transfers
Colin De Julio and
Elmer Olaco-Castillo. De Julio, a former prep standout, is expected to compete for the team's top spot, while Olaco-Castillo brings NAIA championship-level track times to the lineup. Incoming freshmen
Everett Metier,
Isaac Edwards,
Matt Wilde, and
Cass Violett add depth and competition throughout the scoring positions.
After graduating several All-Americans from last year's title-winning squad, the men aim to blend their championship experience with new talent in pursuit of a repeat run at the national podium.
Men's Cross Country – 2025 CCC Preseason Coaches' Poll
- Corban (5) – 128
- College of Idaho (5) – 125
- Eastern Oregon (2) – 116
- LC State – 107
- Southern Oregon – 97
- Northwest – 77
- Multnomah – 67
- Bushnell – 59
- Warner Pacific – 55
- Oregon Tech – 48
- Rocky Mountain – 37
- Walla Walla – 13
The Yotes open the 2025 season in early September and will aim to extend their championship legacy, with both squads eyeing conference crowns and national hardware this fall.
