NEWBERRY, S.C. – Juniors Tyler Shumate and Drew Benson have been recognized as key runners to watch for the 2025 Newberry College men's cross country season.

Shumate, who consistently set the pace for the Wolves last fall, carried that momentum onto the track in the spring. At the South Atlantic Conference Outdoor Championships, he capped off his breakout meet with an eighth-place finish in the 800m final, running 1:56.98 and scoring a point for Newberry after qualifying with a personal-best time of 1:52.75 in the prelims. Benson also made his mark at the SAC Outdoor Championships, clocking 10:00.03 in the men's 3000m steeplechase to place 12th in a competitive distance field. 

The Wolves open their 2025 campaign on Saturday, August 29, at the CSC Buc Open hosted by Charleston Southern University. A full schedule and meet information are available at newberrywolves.com

The Wolves were picked to finish 10^th out of twelve in the SAC Preseason Coaches' Poll:
 
2025 SAC Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll 
 
Rank School (First-Place Votes) Points 
1. Wingate (11)                                 110
2. Anderson (1)                               97
3. Catawba                                      91 
4. Lincoln Memorial                     80 
5. Lenoir-Rhyne                             67
6. Emory & Henry                         62
7t. Carson-Newman                    46
7t. Mars Hill                                     46
9. UVA Wise                                    25
10. Newberry                                 19
11. Tusculum                                   17 
12. Coker                                           12