AUSTIN, Texas - Fall camp is under way for the Concordia Texas cross country program, and the Tornados are ready to conquer the trails. Under new leadership, Concordia is spearheaded by Dave Sherill (third year with the program) who has the expectation of his team to operate with character & integrity and compete at a high level.

One of the best recruiters in the state of Texas, Sherrill has brought in 13 new faces to the program with 12 freshmen and a transfer student. The Tornados will return seven student-athletes, four women and three men.

Returning for the women's team who placed 10th in the SCAC last season are Ashley Rivera, Camille McWhorter, Ashley Ramirez, & Maryn Trianni. Rivera, who serves as the team's captain this season, saved her best for last a year ago where she PR'd with a time of 26:21.7 at the NCAA Regionals.

Coming back for the men's team who finished seventh overall at the SCAC Championships last fall are a quartet of Tornados in Matthew Kangas, Samuel Valdez, Edward Wells Wensley, & Damon Vasquez.

Kangas, who has a personal best time of 26:36.8 in the 8k, looks to have a breakout season in 2025. The junior who missed most of last season with an injury boasted a top-20 finish at the ASC Championships in 2023. Valdez (27:21.8, 8K PR), the lone senior in the program, has been a reliable presence for the Tornados.

"We have some goals & we're super excited. I think we have a great shot at improving on last year as we did as a program." said Coach Sherrill, who also mentioned that both the men and women teams will be competing in the NCAA Regionals at the end of the season this fall.

The Tornados kick off the season on Saturday, August 30th where they will host the Stormy Seas Opener in Georgetown, Texas.

Click here to view the SCAC's interview with Coach Sherrill, Matthew Kangas, & Ashley Rivera.

Click here to view the 2025 schedule.

Click here to view the men's roster.

Click here to view the women's roster.

To keep up to date with everything surrounding the CTX cross country program, follow us on social media (@ctxathletics) and visit athletics.concordia.edu.