The Gannon University men's cross country team has goals to contend for a top spot in the PSAC this 2023 season. The veteran-led squad gets its season underway Friday, Sept. 1, when it hosts Mercyhurst and Allegheny for Senior Night, at Run in the Park Meet at Pleasant Ridge Park.
 
The Golden Knights were picked to finish seventh in the 2023 preseason poll announced last week. "The preseason poll is something that is helpful," Ahrens said. "It's something that can be used as motivation in terms of giving us a goal to shoot for." Preseason not only focused on setting team goals but building solid team culture. "Preseason has been awesome for us, it has allowed us to come together as a team and build our team dynamic, while also getting a lot of good training in." Ahrens added.
 
Ahrens' first season with the Golden Knights saw the team finish eighth at the PSAC Championships and place 15th at the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional. The 2023 squad features Caleb Mandel (Harborcreek, Pa./Harbor Creek), a graduate student who is a two-time All-PSAC performer. Mandel finished 13th a year ago to earn first-team All-PSAC honors after earning second-team recognition in 2020. He is also a standout in the classroom and was the PSAC Men's Cross Country Champion Scholar for the third straight year.

Gannon also welcomes back most of the team's top runners, including senior Ely Personius (Buffalo, N.Y./Amherst Central), junior Gavyn Hansotte (New Castle, Pa./New Castle) and sophomore Luke Malena (Medina, Ohio/Cloverleaf).

With runners graduating and new additions added this year, the Golden Knights look to focus on team camaraderie to benefit them during the 2023 campaign.

"In years prior, we've had trouble getting on the same page, but I think this year, we've really worked on our team goals and team mission, which helps us set the narrative for seasons to come," Hansotte noted.
 



2023 AT A GLANCE

Coach: Rob Ahrens (2nd season)

Season Opener: Friday, Sept. 1, at Run at the Park Meet, 6:15 p.m.

PSAC Championships: Saturday, Oct. 21, at Bloomsburg, 11:00 a.m.

NCAA Atlantic Regional: Saturday, Nov. 4, at Lock Haven, 12:45 p.m.
 
2022 POSTSEASON
(returning Gannon runners only)

PSAC Championships (8th among 16 teams)

Caleb Mandel (Harborcreek, Pa./Harbor Creek), 13th place

Ely Personius (Buffalo, N.Y./Amherst Central), 33rd place

Gavyn Hansotte (New Castle, Pa./New Castle), 57th place

Luke Malena (Medina, Ohio/Cloverleaf), 68th place

Jeremiah Vezza (Clearfield, Pa./Clearfield), 136th place

Luke Andraso (Erie, Pa./Northwest Pa. Collegiate Academy / Erie), 141st place

Carlos Mamani (Edinboro, Pa./General McLane), 143rd place
 
NCAA Atlantic Regional (15th among 23 teams)

Ely Personius (Buffalo, N.Y./Amherst Central), 44th place

Caleb Mandel (Harborcreek, Pa./Harbor Creek), 53rd place

Luke Malena (Medina, Ohio/Cloverleaf), 68th place

Gavyn Hansotte (New Castle, Pa./New Castle), 57th place

Jeremiah Vezza (Clearfield, Pa./Clearfield), 136th place