WAUKESHA, Wis. – For more than two decades, a simple philosophy has helped define Carroll University Cross Country: put in the work, trust the process, and let the results follow. As the Pioneers enter the 2026 season, head coach Shawn Thielitz believes that identity remains as strong as ever. Carroll may not be the team that intimidates opponents based solely on reputation, but Thielitz expects both the men's and women's squads to earn respect through their preparation, resilience, and relentless approach to competition.

"The team is going to work hard because they need to," Thielitz said. "That's been part of our identity for a long time. You put your nose to the grindstone, do the little things right, and hopefully the big things happen."
For Carroll, the regular season serves as a progression toward the moments that matter most. Every workout, race, and training session is designed to prepare the Pioneers for championship season, when success can often come down to a single day at the conference and regional meets.

The goal is to arrive at that point with confidence in both individual strengths and the team's collective identity. "We want everything to come together when it matters most," Thielitz said. "The training, the mental preparation, the strength work, all of it should build toward those championship opportunities."

That mentality has helped foster a culture rooted in accountability and leadership. On the men's side, Thielitz has consistently seen upperclassmen pass valuable lessons on to younger teammates, creating continuity from one year to the next. Leadership is not always tied to a runner's place in the lineup, but rather their willingness to work hard and lead by example.

That model continues this season with veterans Julian Bica Harrison, Donovan Menningen set the tone for the men's squad. Julian has emerged as one of the team's most vocal leaders, combining strong performances with an ability to motivate teammates, while Donovan has provided a nice blend of support and leadership.

"Leadership isn't always your fastest runner," Thielitz said. "It's the people who show up every day and do things the right way."

The women's team enters the season following the graduation of several impactful seniors, but Thielitz has already seen encouraging signs of leadership development throughout the summer. Veterans have taken the initiative to stay connected with teammates and help incoming runners acclimate to the program before arriving on campus. Brooke Davies and Sarah Tinder have all embraced leadership roles while helping create a welcoming environment for newcomers. Thielitz is eager to see who emerges as a more vocal leader during the season, but he knows the foundation is already in place thanks to a group that genuinely cares about one another's success. That culture has helped the Pioneers approach the offseason with a long-term mindset.

Rather than focusing on being at peak fitness when preseason practices begin, Carroll's runners understand that summer training serves as the foundation for everything that follows. Thielitz often compares the process to building a mountain, emphasizing that a wider base creates the potential for a higher peak when championship season arrives.

"The offseason is the building block of the season," Thielitz said. "We want to create that base so we're ready when it's time to race our best." The men's roster should benefit significantly from increased depth this year. Thielitz believes one of the greatest strengths of the group will be its ability to move as a pack, with multiple runners pushing one another throughout races and training. As that pack continues to improve during the season, Carroll's team performances could climb with it.
On the women's side, the incoming class adds both depth and top-end talent. Freshman Allena O'Connell arrives as one of the program's most highly regarded newcomers and is expected to make an immediate impact. Thielitz also points to Norah Yang, who competed during track season but did not run cross country last fall, as someone who could surprise people this season.

The increased roster depth also creates additional opportunities during training. Larger groups allow coaches to pair athletes together more effectively, creating an environment where runners can continuously push and support one another.
"Any time you can make a training group bigger, the connections become stronger," Thielitz said. "The push-and-pull mentality helps everybody improve." As the season approaches, one area of emphasis for both teams will be patience.

Whether it is navigating a race strategy or managing training throughout an entire season, Thielitz wants his runners to trust the process and avoid trying to force results before they are ready. The ability to remain disciplined, work through the field gradually, and adapt to changing race conditions can often make the difference between a good performance and a great one. Fortunately, patience is balanced by one of the strongest qualities within the program: the bond shared among teammates.

"The fire they bring and the support they have for one another is special," Thielitz said. "They want to see each other succeed."

That bond will be tested against one of the nation's most competitive regional landscapes. The Midwest Region annually features nationally ranked programs from Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota, creating an environment where Carroll is regularly challenged by some of Division III's best teams. Thielitz views that challenge as an opportunity. His runners know they will face elite competition throughout the season, and doing so provides valuable perspective as they prepare for conference and regional championships.

Early in the year, the Pioneers will get an important benchmark at Wheaton, which serves as the site of the CCIW Championship race. Competing on the conference course provides an opportunity to evaluate progress and gain familiarity with the venue months before the season's biggest meet. Additional races at Lawrence and Augustana will offer critical midseason checkpoints. Lawrence, in particular, has the potential to be one of the fastest courses on Carroll's schedule and could provide an opportunity for several runners to post breakthrough performances.

While conference standings, times, and finishes remain important goals, Thielitz believes success extends well beyond the results sheet. For a relatively young roster, growth and maturity are among the program's biggest objectives. By the end of the season, he hopes to see athletes who have embraced the selfless nature of cross country, invested fully in their teammates, and developed both as competitors and as people.

If the teams reach their potential, Thielitz believes the women can contend for a finish in the top half of the conference while the men continue improving their position within the CCIW and regional standings. More importantly, he wants to see the program continue moving forward athletically, academically, and personally. The expectations are simple: work hard, follow the plan, and make the most of every opportunity.

"Take advantage of every day," Thielitz said. "If we do that, the rest will follow."

By season's end, Thielitz hopes people will recognize something deeper than fast times and strong finishes. He wants them to see a program committed to continual growth, one built on accountability, trust, and daily improvement.
"They don't just run," Thielitz said. "They're working every day to become better people, better teammates, and better athletes." With a strong returning core, promising newcomers, and a culture rooted in hard work, the Pioneers are ready to begin that journey once again in 2026.