Cross Country / Track Announce 2024-25 Newcomers

OMAHA, Neb. -- Creighton announced seven women and six men who will be joining the cross country and track programs for the 2024-25 season. The group includes three-time NAIA All-American Jacob Ludwick, who excels in the javelin, and is the program's first true field event recruit in nearly 70 years.

"We are super excited to welcome the next group of Bluejays to Creighton and our growing program," said head coach Chris Gannon. "We graduated a large class of ladies and were fortunate to sign a fantastic incoming class who will be able to step in and make our program better. There is a good mix of immediate impact and developmental talent within the ladies class, and good range from the long sprints to probably some 10k and steeple athletes."

Assistant coach Matthew Fayers was equally excited at the Bluejay haul. "This class is something special and I have no doubt that they will take us to new heights as our program continues to improve year over year. One area of focus this year was to continue to invest in the middle-distance event areas, which we were able to achieve and then some on the women's side. These women should be able to contribute right away, as we build on the foundation that was set last year at the BIG EAST Outdoor Track Championships. Our men's class is going to be very exciting to see how they acclimate to college racing and develop over these next few years. The two transfers into our program were huge gets and should be able to make an impact immediately!"

Entering his seventh season as head coach on The Hilltop, Gannon is keen on the potential the group brings. "The men's freshmen class is a bit smaller but we also brought in two transfers who will contribute from the start. The four freshman guys show a lot of potential and we are excited to get to work with them. The addition of Noah, as someone with college racing experience, will help elevate the men's team. Jacob is the first true field event athlete at Creighton since the 1950's and has a pretty stellar resume."

Creighton begins the regular-season for its cross country program on Friday, Sept. 6, when it hosts the Platte River Rumble "Gold" race at Mahoney State Park in Ashland, Neb.

Women's Newcomers
Katelynn Blaesing, Shawnee KS, St. James Academy
Part of back-to-back Kansas State Championship teams in track, member of three-time 4x800 relay champion, placed 3rd at the Kansas State Championship in the 800 as a junior. Also played volleyball on the two-time Kansas state runner-up team as a defensive specialist.

Anna Bridges, Littleton CO, Arapahoe HS
Second team all-state in cross country as a sophomore and member of the Colorado State runner-up cross country team as both a freshman and sophomore.

Bella Gomez, Phoenix AZ, Xavier College Prep
400/800 specialist from Arizona who ran 2:18 as junior.

Madeline Lage, Waconia MN, Waconia HS
Lage placed 8th at the Minnesota State XC meet as a junior.

Alexis Leone, Vancouver WA, Seton Catholic HS
Back-to-back Washington state champion in XC and 1600 during track as a sophomore and junior. Has run 4:57 for the mile and 10:33 for the 3200.

Katie Roche, Orland Park IL, Sandburg HS
Part of school-record 4x800, multi-time state qualifier in the 800 and 4x800 with a PR of 2:15.

Alaire Serell, Ft. Collins CO, Fossil Ridge HS
Four-time Colorado State Cross Country qualifier and member of the runner-up team as a senior.

Men's Newcomers
Diego Barron, Olathe KS, Olathe East HS
Two-time all-state in cross country, placing top 10 at the Kansas State Cross Country Championship as both a junior and senior. Placed in the top five at the Kansas State Track Meet in the 800 as a sophomore and junior.

Sam Berlinghof, Chicago IL, Jones College Prep
Three-time state qualifier in cross country and one-time state qualifier in track. Was the Chicago Public League Cross Country Champion as a junior.

Lucas Bossinger, Colorado Springs CO, Palmer Ridge HS
Four-time state qualifier in cross country, placing sixth at the Colorado State Championships as a senior.

Gus Lampe, Omaha NE, Roncalli Catholic HS
2023 State Champion in cross country.

Noah Jodon, Phoenix AZ, Desert Vista HS, University of Arizona
Was the Arizona High School State Champion in cross country, the 1600, and 3200 as a senior. Competed two years at the University of Arizona, with a 5k PR of 14:24. Plans to compete for three years.

Jacob Ludwick, Clay Center KS, Clay Center HS, Ottawa University
Three-time NAIA All-American, USATF U20 All-American, 2022 Drake Relays Champion, 2023 KU Relays Champion, with a PR of 64.18m in the javelin. Has one year of eligibility remaining.

Players Mentioned

Diego Barron

Sam Berlinghof

Lucas Bossinger

Anna Bridges

Bella Gomez

Noah Jodon

Madeline Lage

Gus Lampe

Alexis Leone

Jacob Ludwick

Katie Roche

Alaire Serell

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