ROCKLIN, Calif. – The Warriors will soon head to the starting line as a new season for cross country will begin in the coming weeks. When the Warriors do make their 2024 debut, it will be with some new faces as head coach Jeff Magley welcomes a new roster.
 
Magley is entering year 25 as a collegiate coach, and this one sees a return to the NCAA as the Warriors enter year one competing within NCAA Division II. Magley's previous NCAA experience came as the head coach of Sacramento State.
 
Joining Magley is the first of many new faces, as he welcomes Nick Merillana as his newest assistant coach. Merillana comes to Jessup after a recent stint with Minot State University.
 
The roster for the 2024 Warriors will see three more newcomers, as the Warriors add Antonio Leal, Alexis Housh, and Tayla Starr as the newcomers to the fold. They will be paired by a group of returners from the 2023 season, Jessup's final as members of the NAIA.
 
"We are excited to welcome our 2024 cross country class to Jessup," said Magley. "This is an exciting time not just for our new recruits but also for our returning athletes to be part of the first team competing in Division II this fall, as well as being part of our first experience in the PacWest Conference."
 
Leal joins the Warriors out of Stockton and Pacific Law Academy. In three years, Leal was a two-time track MVP, and his team posted third in their league. He will study Criminal Justice at Jessup with aspirations of a career in law enforcement. Lead said he enjoys exploring nature in his free time.
 
Housh comes to Jessup out of Fair Oaks and Bella Vista High School. She will study Psychology with aspirations of being a marriage and family therapist. Housh added that she enjoys time with her family and friends, paddleboarding, cookie decorating, day trips, and helping others.
 
Starr comes in as an English major from Hope High School in Redding and said she hopes to become a published author. Starr was a 2022 league champion and qualified for the state championship in 2023. She enjoys reading, writing, music, spending time outside, kayaking, and hiking.
 
The Warriors also see a flurry of returners on the 2024 unit. On the men's team, Jessup welcomes back Travis Brown, Oscar Duncan Jr., Devon Hammeke, Zachary Heberlein, and Ethan Loomis. The women's team sees the return of Elizabeth Caminiti and Cheyenne Ulrich.
 
Brown is making his return to the Warriors after a year away from the university.
 
On the newcomers, Magley added, "For our cross country newcomers, moving up to the 6k race distance for the women and 8k race distance for the men is always a challenge, but we are confident they will be ready to embrace that challenge. Tayla and Alexis have already made a great impact as freshmen during our preseason camp and will fit in very well with our team culture with our women. On the men's side, Antonio and Travis are going to be great assets for our team as they work with a strong group of returning men."
 
Jessup will get their first taste of competition when they compete in the CCAA Preview on September 7.
 
Jessup University is a provisional member of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division II and the PacWest Conference. For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Instagram & X).