SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – The Lake Superior State men's and women's cross country programs are set to open up the 2022 campaign under first-year Head Coach Tony Filipek.

"The emphasis this year will be on training consistently and building our aerobic engines," said Filipek. "We did lose big hitter David Mitter (Howell, Mich.) as well as Kendal Delpiere (Pigeon, Mich.) to graduation, but we look forward to building up our younger runners to finish higher within the conference and regional meets."

Despite losing Mitter, an All-Region and NCAA National Qualifier, to graduation, the men's team returns an experienced group of runners from the previous season. Meanwhile, the young core of the women's program will look to step up and prove themselves this fall.

"Many of our returners have worked hard over the summer to prepare for a great cross country season," said Filipek. "Our top returning runner on the men's side is Ethan Nachazel (East Jordan, Mich.) who should provide great leadership along with 7 other returnees. On the women's side, we are very young, and the expectation is to return this full group for the next two years."

The Lakers will kick things off on Saturday, Aug. 27 with a tune-up scrimmage at the Wildcat-Husky-Laker Cross Country Challenge in Marquette, Mich. before officially starting the 2022 season on Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Ray Helsing Invite, hosted by Ferris State. They will then turn their attention to the Lucian Rose Invite, hosted by Wisconsin-Parkside on Saturday, Oct. 8 before working toward postseason play in early November.