QUINCY, Ill - A new season brings a new opportunity for the Quincy University women's cross country team, and the Hawks have plenty of reasons to be excited as they prepare to take their first steps of the year. 

Quincy will officially open its season Friday, September 4th as they travel to Springfield, IL, to compete in the Prairie Stars Invitational hosted by the University of Illinois Springfield. The meet will provide the Hawks with their first chance to test themselves against collegiate competition after preparation during the preseason. 

While Friday marks the beginning of a new season, the Hawks enter the year carrying momentum from a 2025 campaign that established new heights for the program. 

Building on a Breakthrough

Quincy's 2025 season was highlighted by the program's highest-ever finish at the Great Lakes Valley Conference Championship. The Hawks placed ninth as a team, continuing a steady rise for a program that has shown significant improvement in recent seasons. 

Katie Park, who enters her senior season, is one of the most accomplished distance runners in program history. Park established herself as Quincy's top runner throughout last season, repeatedly challenging the school's record book. At the NCAA Midwest Regional, she saved one of her best performances for last, running 23:17.2 in the 6k to break her own record.

Park's success has carried over into track and field as well. During the 2026 outdoor season, she made Quincy history by becoming the first Hawk to win an individual event at the GLVC Outdoor Championships. Park captured the 1,500 meter title in a school-record time of 4:34.70.

Now, with her final cross country season ahead of her, Park gives Quincy an experienced leader at the front of the pack and a runner capable of setting the tone from the opening race.

Experience Across the Lineup

Park will be joined by a group that includes Sofia Coglianese, Ava Certa, Emily Faletti, Mia Robnett, and freshman Caroline Schoenekase. The current roster features a mix of returning experience and a newcomer who will have the opportunity to make her collegiate debut. 

Coglianese enters her senior season after gaining valuable experience during the past several years. She has been part of Quincy's recent rise and gives the Hawks another experienced presence as the team works through the season.

Faletti is another runner to watch after an impressive freshman campaign. She finished her first collegiate season with a 24:37.02 at the GLVC Championships, which ranks fourth all-time in Quincy's 6k record book. 

She also showed her ability to improve throughout her debut season as she recorded a personal best of 25:28.67 at the Lewis Crossover, moving her into the top 10 in program history at the time. 

Sophomore Mia Robnett also returns after gaining her first taste of championship-level competition last season. Her continued development will be another important storyline for a Quincy team looking to build depth throughout its scoring group.

A Familiar Starting Point 

Friday's Prairie Stars Invitational should provide an especially interesting opening test for the Hawks. Quincy competed at the same meet to begin the 2025 season, placing fourth as a team. This years team will return to Springfield with a much different level of experience.

Park has now spent several seasons establishing herself at the collegiate level and Faletti has a year of racing under her belt. Coglianese and Robnett have gained additional experience while Certa and Schoenekase add their own opportunities to the lineup. 

New Leadership, Same Ambition

The Hawks will begin the season under first-year head coach Mark Manske, who takes over both men and women's cross country programs. 

Manske arrives at Quincy after spending previous seasons as an assistant coach at Coe College as well as experience from Southeastern Community College. He brings four years of collegiate knowledge and a background in both cross country and track and field. 

With a new coach and a roster that combines veterans with developing runners, the 2026 season presents fresh opportunities for Quincy. 

Eyes on the season Ahead

The Prairie Stars Invitational is the first of four regular-season meets on Quincy's schedule. The Hawks will return to competition September 11th at the Larry Young Invitational before racing at the Seminole Stampede on October 3rd, as well as the Brian T. Simpson Invitational on October 10th. The season will culminate with the GLVC Championship in November. 

To view the complete 2026 schedule, click here.