EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's and women's cross country teams have announced their 2025 team award winners. The team celebrated its 2025 campaign at a year-end banquet last Sunday.

Here are this year's individual award winners selected by team vote and announced at the banquet:
 
Most Valuable Newcomer

• Gavin Stewart: Finished top 7 in every race except St. Olaf. He is a great racer who enjoys competing. 8K PR of 25:27 ranks 4^th on the Blugold 8K freshmen list.
• Brooke Marchewka: Showed steady progression throughout the season and finished in the top 7 at conference and regionals. 6K PR of 22:52 ranks 13^th on the Blugold 6K freshmen list.

 
Most Improved

• Troy VerStrate: Improved his 8K personal best from 27:07 last year to 25:25 this season competing at conference, regionals, and nationals for the first time.
• Violette Culp: Improved her 6K personal best from 25:44 last year to 23:01 this season competing at conference for the first time.

 
Most Valuable Runner

• Jack Hesse-Withbroe: Was the teams's top runner in every race this season placing 3^rd at Conference and a 24^th place All-American finish at Nationals. His 8K PR of 23:54 ranks 2^nd on the Blugold 8K list.
• Molly Heidorn: Was the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) individual champion, WIAC runner of the year, and All-American 31^st place finish at nationals. Her 6K PR time of 21:18 ranks 7^th on the Blugold 6K list.

 
Blugold Award (an incredible teammate)

• Ian Barnes: Connected with everyone on the team this year making the transition to college for our freshmen easier. Radiant personality that made practice a fun place to be. Committed himself to doing everything training wise this summer/fall and it showed with his best season as a Blugold.
• Ryann Wagner: A leader who is always positive and gives her teammates words of encouragement. Committed to the team throughout her four-year career. This season said no to a few things outside of running that allowed her to focus more energy on training / the team and led to the best season of her career. 

 
The cross country team now has some time to relax and recharge before the start of indoor track & field season, which kicks off on Saturday, January 17^th at home with the Alumni / River Falls Dual.