LAKE CITY, Fla. – The Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Teams of Florida Gateway College are preparing for what promises to be an exciting 2025 running season.
“We are looking to improve on our 25th-place finish from the 2024 season,” said Women’s Head Coach April Morse of the team’s national ranking last year. “New NJCAA rules may make qualifying for the National Meet a bit more challenging, but I’m hopeful that last year’s finish puts us in good stead going in.”
A highlight of the season will be the FGC Invitational at Alligator Lake Park in Lake City, scheduled for Friday, October 10. After a 2024 home schedule disrupted by last year’s active hurricane season, the runners and fans are excited for the opportunity to compete and show their support on their home course.
Both teams come to the season with a healthy mix of returnees and new runners. The women’s roster of six is evenly split with sophomores Abigail Candler and Mackenzie Ring continuing from last season and Emma Jeffers making a return after running with FGC in 2023.
The men’s team, led by Head Coach Ed Morse, will also see the return of three sophomores—Morgan Mobley, Grayton Smith, and Troy Winkler—along with six freshmen joining the pack.
“The team has good depth of talent and a strong academic element,” Ed Morse said.
“As always, our goal is to help our athletes continue their running and education careers at the next level,” said April Morse.
2025 FGC Women’s Cross Country Roster:
Abigail Candler SO – Lake City, FL
Coach: Our top returnee; last season’s All-Region top 3 finisher in 20:31; NJCAA All-Academic.
Melanie Gordon FR – Lake City, FL
Comes in with a 14:04 3200m from the track season; shows she can give us 21/22 in the 5k as well.
Emma Jeffers SO – Lake Butler, FL
Returnee from 2023; ran 20:53 on that year’s Top 10 team at Nationals.
Montana Lewis FR – Live Oak, FL
Ran 21:38 in the 5K while in high school.
Ava Lorette FR – Sparks, GA
Ran cross country and played soccer in high school; loads of talent we are looking forward to developing.
Mackenzie Ring SO – Lake Butler, FL
Ran 23:49 at Nationals last season; should be in the 22s after summer training.
2025 FGC Men’s Cross Country Roster:
Jonathan Dazulma FR – Orlando, FL
Coach: 5k in the 20-minute range.
Joseph Harris FR – Lake Butler, FL
No current 5k record.
Kendal Henry FR –Trenton, FL
5k in the 20-minute range.
Jacob McLeod FR – Lake City, FL
5k in the 21-minute range.
Morgan Mobley SO – Live Oak, FL
Low 16-minute range 5k.
Brig Scott FR – Live Oak, FL
Mid 17-minute range 5k.
Grayton Smith SO – Tallahassee, FL
High 16-minute range 5k.
Joshua Thompson FR – Lake City, FL
Low 17-minute range 5k.
Troy Winkler FR – O’Brien, FL
Current 5k time of 15:48.
2025 Men’s & Women’s Cross Country Meet Schedule:
Friday, September 12 HOA Nights of Thunder Tallahassee, FL
Friday, September 19 Willie Laster XC Invitational Albany, GA
Friday, October 3 Gulf Coast XC Invitational Panama City, FL
Friday, October 10 FGC Invitational (Alligator Lake Park) Lake City, FL - HOME MEET -
Postseason:
Friday, October 24 NJCAA Region 8 XC Championships Tallahassee, FL
Saturday, November 8 NJCAA XC National Championships Fort Dodge, IA
Tuesday, November 12 NJCAA Half-Marathon National Championships Fort Dodge, IA
See complete FGC Athletics schedules, rosters, and more at www.fgcwolves.com.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 2025 Timberwolves Homecoming 5K presented by Columbia Drip Bar will be held Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. on the campus of Florida Gateway College. Proceeds benefit FGC Cross Country. Awards will include Top 3 Male/Female Overall, age group awards, and Top 5 Male/Female FGC Alumni.
Registration is open now at https://runsignup.com/Race/Register?raceId=186778.
Registration fees:
$35 - with shirt/beanie
$10 - without shirt/beanie
$10 - student, without shirt/beanie