Cross Country Cougars Returns for the First Time in 15 Years

By Hector Morales | Published September 30, 2022

For the first time since 2007, cross country has returned to Kean University with Danielle Todman as head coach of the men’s and women’s teams. Todman, a current military member in the United States Air Force since 2006 was hired by Kean Athletics to coach the team last October. The leadership qualities she possesses and how she navigates teamwork allow her to contribute to her time to cross country. 

“It’s the biggest blessing that you can build something from the ground up,” Todman said.

To recap the season, the Cougars’ men and women teams finished in the top 10 in the first two races. 

In the first race held at Panther’s XC invitational hosted by Adelphi University, freshman runner William Mitchell led the men’s side with 27 minutes and 40 seconds and finished 17 place in the race in the top 100. Mitchell is from Howell, New Jersey and is majoring in finance. 

“It’s exciting,” Mitchell said. “The program is new and so there’s not a lot of expectation and it’s fun to surprise people.”

Sophomore runner Sam Murri led the women’s team with 23 minutes and 15 seconds and finished 28 place in the top 75. Murri is from Fair Lawn, New Jersey and she is majoring in Physical Education with a minor in coaching. She is also a multi-sport athlete as she plays for the women’s lacrosse team at Kean. 

“You would think it would be very difficult to balance your social life with both teams, team dynamics on both sides, but being here at Kean the faculty and the administration make it a lot easier and I enjoy it so much so far,” Murri said.  

In the second race held at Jasper Fall XC invitational and hosted by Manhattan College, the women’s team finished 7 out of the eight teams and Murri led the runners with a 56 place finish out of the 75 runners. She ran for 28 minutes and five seconds. 

“I think I did well,” Murri said. “I think there is a lot to improve now, and college running is a lot different from high school than I realized. So, I’m just getting used to it and I’m really excited for what has to come.”

Mitchell also led the men’s team with a 36 place finish but improved his time to 28 minutes and 38 seconds. 

“I’m happy with my times,” Mitchell said. “I know that there are a lot of various things to work on and the coach is helping me with that. She knows what I need to be strong and the areas of strengths that I’m lacking in so she really helps me capitalize on using time and practice to improve what I already have, but also work on what I’ve been missing and that is going to help me in the future.”

Todman was impressed with Mitchell and Murri and looks forward to what they are going to give and hopes they will have a successful season. 

“Watching their talent and the hard work continuing to improve from these two is just going to get better and it’s an honor that they trust me as their coach,” Todman said. 

The Cougars have three more races to go until The New Jersey Athletics Conference on Oct. 29. Mitchell, Murri and the other runners will give everything they got and hope to achieve their goal at the end of this season. 

 “I’m going to make some noise in NJAC, and I can’t wait to watch this team do well throughout the years,” Murri said.  

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