The Muskingum University women's cross country team, under the guidance of seventh-year head coach Jacob Gleason, will look to a veteran core in 2016 to lead the squad.
The Muskies welcome back 11 upperclassmen, including five seniors, two juniors, and four sophomores.
Seniors Julie Fobes, Josie Baum, and Heidi Snipes are among the top returning for the Muskies this season.
Fobes posted a season and career-best 5k time of 19:28.0 at the Jenna Strong Invitational where she finished 20th of 343 runners. She also finished among the top half of the field at the Ohio Athletic Conference Championships where she ran a season best 6k time of 23:42.0.
Baum also found her stride at the Jenna Strong Invitational posting a career-best time of 20:47.0.
In 2015, Snipes also found success as she set a personal best 5k time of 20:36.0.
Muskingum will also look to the experience of returners senior Hannah Gregory, juniors Maddie Moss, Madison Emmert, sophomores Keely Ames, Alexis Ricker, Skylar Cowan, and Reilly Walsh.
Gregory set a new personal record in the 5k with a time of 20:49.0, breaking her previous time of 20:51.1 set in 2013. Moss also found success in the 5k last season, as she ran a season and career best time of 23:46.0 at the Jenna Strong Invitational.
Emmert found her mid-season form, as she posted a career-best 6k time of 27:31.0 set at the All-Ohio Championships last season.
Muskingum will also look to an amassment of freshman to provide depth this season.
Muskingum opens its season at home on Thursday, September 1 with the Muskingum Invitational.
