Friday, September 26
Columbia, MO
Wake Forest University
vs
Gans Creek Classic
Demon Deacons Set to Compete at Highly Competitive Gans Creek Classic
9/25/2025 11:30:00 AM | Cross Country
The women’s team will compete at 9:00 a.m., while the men’s team will race for the first time this season at 9:45 a.m.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – After a two-week break from competition, the Wake Forest men's and women's cross country teams are back in action as they are set to compete in the highly competitive Gans Creek Classic on Friday morning at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course.
The Women's Gold Invitational 6k Race is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m., while the Men's Gold Invitational 8k Race is slated for 9:45 a.m. Four individuals from the women's team will also be competing in the Women's Black Invitational 6k Race at 10:30 a.m.
Live results can be found here, while the races can be streamed live via SEC+.
Need To Know
Gans Creek Classic
Fri., Sept. 26, 2025
Columbia, Mo. - Gans Creek Cross Country Course
Women's Gold Invitational 6k - 9:00 a.m.
Men's Gold Invitational 8k - 9:45 a.m.
Women's Black Invitational 6k - 10:30 a.m.
The Field
Men
Women
Competing for the Deacs
Men
Women (Gold Invitational - Team)
Women (Black Invitational - Individual)
Last Time Out
The Wake Forest women's cross country team opened their 2025 regular season with a dominant display at the Queen City Invite on Sept. 12, as the Demon Deacons claimed both the team and individual titles.
Junior Angelina Perez recorded her first career individual win, crossing the finish line in 16:19.7. Meanwhile, graduate student Maisie Wilmer finished just behind Perez in second place after clocking a time of 16:47.2. Senior Mackenzie Hart claimed her first career top-five finish as she placed fifth, while fellow senior Katherine Lawson joined Perez, Wilmer, and Hart inside the top-10 as she secured an eighth-place finish.
Sophomore Carlita Kaliher rounded out the top five finishers for the Deacs, finishing the race with a personal-best time of 17:23.3 to finish in 11th.
In addition, four other Demon Deacons finished inside the top-20, with redshirt sophomore Alyssa Preisano and freshman Mia Williams crossing the line in 12th and 13th, junior Palmer Walstad claiming 19th-place, and graduate student Issy Goldstein recording a 20th-place result.
Men's Program Ready to Open Season
After a long and productive preseason, the No. 9 Wake Forest men's cross country team is ready to open their regular season at Gans Creek.
The Demon Deacons earned several preseason accolades, including being picked as the favorite to repeat as ACC Men's Cross Country champions in the ACC Preseason poll. The Deacs were also ranked 10th in the USTFCCCA Preseason Poll, as well as fifth in the FloTrack Preseason Poll.
Meet the Squad
The Demon Deacons return a large part of their production from last season, including four of their top five finishers at the 2024 NCAA Cross Country Championships.
Wake Forest is led by six fourth-year members, including All-Region and All-ACC honoree Joe O'Brien, as well as senior Paul Specht and redshirt juniors Gavin Ehlers, Bryce Gilmore, Jackson Keefer, and Daniel Winter.
Gavin Ehlers | Redshirt Junior | Westhampton Beach, N.Y. | Westhampton Beach HS
During his redshirt sophomore season, Ehlers recorded a personal-best time of 23:48.9 at the ACC Cross Country Championships. He also raced at the NCAA Southeast Region Cross Country Championships, where he had placed 31st a season before, and the NCAA Cross Country Championships.
Bryce Gilmore | Redshirt Junior | Carlsbad, Calif. | Sage Creek HS
Gilmore most recently competed for the Demon Deacons during the 2023 season, having earned a sixth-place finish at the Hokie Open. Gilmore, who missed all of last season, also competed at the Covered Bridge Open as a sophomore.
Jackson Keefer | Redshirt Junior | Bend, Ore. | Summit HS
Keefer achieved multiple personal-best times during the 2024 season, including posting a time of 18:02.4 to help him place 10th in the 6k race at the adidas XC Challenge. Keefer also recorded a personal-best time in the 8k at the highly competitive Panorama Farms Invitational.
Joe O'Brien | Redshirt Junior | York, England | York College
After earning championship experience in 2023, O'Brien earned both All-ACC and All-Region honors during the 2024 season. O'Brien finished in 16th with a personal-best time of 22:59.4 to help guide the Demon Deacons to an ACC Championship. He followed that up with a 10th-place finish at the NCAA Southeast Region Cross Country Championships, before helping guide the Deacs to a seventh place finish at the NCAA Cross Country Championships as he finished in 56th, clocking 29:34.7.
Paul Specht | Senior | Sindelfingen, Germany | Gymnasium Unterrieden
Specht set multiple career-best times during his junior season, including a time of 31:46.7 in the 10k during the NCAA Southeast Region Cross Country Championships. He also posted a personal-best 8k time of 23:51.5 at the ACC Cross Country Championships. Specht also added a personal-best time to finish 16th in the 6k race at the adidas XC Challenge.
Daniel Winter | Redshirt Junior | Stockton, Calif. | St. Mary's
Winter competed in one event during the 2024 season for the Demon Deacons, recording a personal-best time in the 8k race during the Panorama Farms Invitational.
In addition, the Demon Deacons are led by four juniors this season, including 2024 Cross Country All-American and 2023 ACC Freshman of the Year Charlie Sprott, along with Rocky Hansen, Hunter Jones, and Aidan Ross.
Rocky Hansen | Junior | Hendersonville, N.C. | Christ School
Hansen played a pivotal role in helping the Demon Deacons secure seventh-place at the NCAA Cross Country Championships as he finished in 100th after recording a personal-best time of 29:55.7 in the 10k. Hansen also placed 32nd at the ACC Cross Country Championships, as well as a second place finish at the Nuttycombe Invitational.
Hunter Jones | Junior | Thompsonville, Mich. | Benzie Central HS
Jones recorded a personal-best time on an 8k course during the Panorama Farms Invitational, posting a time of 23:31.8 en route to an eighth place finish. Jones also placed 51st at the ACC Cross Country Championships and 62nd at the NCAA Southeast Region Cross Country Championships last season.
Aidan Ross | Junior | Uxbridge, Mass. | Uxbridge HS
After earning championship experience during his freshman campaign, Ross followed up by earning All-ACC honors last season after placing 15th overall at the ACC Cross Country Championships, helping the Deacs win the ACC Championship in the process. Ross also recorded a personal-best time of 30:12.8 at the NCAA Cross Country Championships. He also added a fifth place finish at the Panorama Farms Invitational.
Charlie Sprott | Junior | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Sprott followed up a breakthrough debut season, which saw him be named the ACC Freshman of the Year in 2023, with an incredible sophomore season. Sprott led the Demon Deacons with a 32nd-place finish at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, finishing the race with a personal-best time of 29:21.6 to earn All-American honors and guide the Deacs to a seventh-place result. He earned All-Region honors after finishing in 11th-place at the NCAA Southeast Region Cross Country Championships. Sprott also helped Wake Forest claim the ACC Cross Country title by finishing in 14th at the ACC Cross Country Championships, resulting in All-ACC honors. In addition, Sprott added a top-10 finish at the Panorama Farms Invitational.
Wake Forest also returns a pair of second-year runners who made a significant impact last season in 2024 ACC Freshman of the Year JoJo Jourdon and Wes Shipsey. Meanwhile, sophomore Foster Shelbert and redshirt freshmen Corey Campbell and Grant Morgenfeld will be looking to make their collegiate debuts this season.
JoJo Jourdon | Sophomore | Salt Lake City, Utah | Olympus HS
Jourdon had an incredible freshman campaign during the 2024 season, highlighted by earning ACC Freshman of the Year honors. Jourdon earned All-ACC honors last season after placing eighth overall at the ACC Cross Country Championships, helping the Demon Deacons earn the ACC Championship. Jourdon also placed 40th at the NCAA Southeast Region Cross Country Championships, before ending his freshman year with a personal-best time of 29:30.7 and 47th place result at the NCAA Cross Country Championships.
Wes Shipsey | Sophomore | Portland, Ore. | Central Catholic HS
Shipsey competed in three meets during the 2024 season, including the Panorama Farms Invitational and the ACC Cross Country Championships. Shipsey made his Wake Forest debut at the adidas XC Challenge, earning 15th-place after clocking a personal-best time of 18:11.4 on the 6k course.
Finally, the Deacs added four new members to the squad this past offseason, including redshirt senior Lucas Guerra, who transferred in from Georgetown, and freshmen Max Cervi-Skinner, Zackery Cervi-Skinner, and Landon Pretre.
The John Hayes Era
Since arriving in Winston-Salem in 2016, Hayes has helped the men's cross country team grow into a national powerhouse. Under his leadership, the Demon Deacons have claimed two ACC titles in 2022 and 2024, resulting in Hayes earning ACC Coach of the Year honors both years. Hayes was also named USTFCCCA Southeast Region Coach Of The Year four of the last five seasons (2020-22, 2024).
Along with their success in the ACC, the Deacs have also earned a spot at the NCAA Cross Country Championships in five consecutive seasons, extending the longest streak in program history. During this five-year stretch, Wake Forest has finished inside the top-10 twice, including a program-best fifth-place finish in 2022.
Over the course of his tenure with the Deacs, Hayes has produced six All-Americans, including Zach Facioni, the first three-time All-American in program history. Hayes has also coached four ACC Freshman of the Year performers, including back-to-back winners in Charlie Sprott (2023) and JoJo Jourdon (2024), and 14 All-ACC honorees.
Up Next
The Demon Deacons return to action on Friday, Oct. 10 as the women's team heads back to Charlotte to compete in the Royals Challenge. The men's program will be back in action for their final regular season meet of the season at the Panorama Farms Invitational on Oct. 17.
Follow the Demon Deacons
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | #GoDeacs
The Women's Gold Invitational 6k Race is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m., while the Men's Gold Invitational 8k Race is slated for 9:45 a.m. Four individuals from the women's team will also be competing in the Women's Black Invitational 6k Race at 10:30 a.m.
Live results can be found here, while the races can be streamed live via SEC+.
Need To Know
Gans Creek Classic
Fri., Sept. 26, 2025
Columbia, Mo. - Gans Creek Cross Country Course
Women's Gold Invitational 6k - 9:00 a.m.
Men's Gold Invitational 8k - 9:45 a.m.
Women's Black Invitational 6k - 10:30 a.m.
The Field
Men
- No. 1 Iowa State
- No. 4 BYU
- No. 6 Virginia
- No. 7 Stanford
- No. 9 Wake Forest
- No. 11 Alabama
- No. 12 Syracuse
- No. 13 Colorado
- No. 14 Northern Arizona
- No. 15 Butler
- No. 17 Eastern Kentucky
- No. 18 Washington State
- No. 20 Princeton
- No. 23 Tulane
- No. 24 Air Force
- No. 25 Ole Miss
- No. 27 Michigan State
- No. 28 Furman
- No. 29 Tulsa
- Duke
- Florida
- Gonzaga
- Iona
- Lipscomb
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Montana State
- Navy
- Portland
- Tennessee
- Texas Tech
- Weber State
Women
- No. 2 Oregon
- No. 5 Stanford
- No. 6 Alabama
- No. 8 Northern Arizona
- No. 12 Florida
- No. 16 Michigan State
- No. 18 Virginia
- No. 22 Utah
- No. 24 Lipscomb
- No. 26 Colorado
- No. 27 Iowa State
- Air Force
- Duke
- Furman
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Ohio State
- Oklahoma
- Ole Miss
- Oregon State
- Princeton
- Syracuse
- Tennessee
- Toledo
- Tulane
- UCLA
- Utah Valley
- Vanderbilt
- Wake Forest
- Washington State
- Weber State
Competing for the Deacs
Men
- Corey Campbell
- Gavin Ehlers
- Bryce Gilmore
- Hunter Jones
- JoJo Jourdon
- Grant Morgenfeld
- Paul Specht
- Charlie Sprott
Women (Gold Invitational - Team)
- Mackenzie Hart
- Carlita Kaliher
- Angelina Perez
- Alyssa Preisano
- Elizabeth Whaley
- Mia Williams
- Maisie Wilmer
- Brooke Wilson
Women (Black Invitational - Individual)
Last Time Out
The Wake Forest women's cross country team opened their 2025 regular season with a dominant display at the Queen City Invite on Sept. 12, as the Demon Deacons claimed both the team and individual titles.
Junior Angelina Perez recorded her first career individual win, crossing the finish line in 16:19.7. Meanwhile, graduate student Maisie Wilmer finished just behind Perez in second place after clocking a time of 16:47.2. Senior Mackenzie Hart claimed her first career top-five finish as she placed fifth, while fellow senior Katherine Lawson joined Perez, Wilmer, and Hart inside the top-10 as she secured an eighth-place finish.
Sophomore Carlita Kaliher rounded out the top five finishers for the Deacs, finishing the race with a personal-best time of 17:23.3 to finish in 11th.
In addition, four other Demon Deacons finished inside the top-20, with redshirt sophomore Alyssa Preisano and freshman Mia Williams crossing the line in 12th and 13th, junior Palmer Walstad claiming 19th-place, and graduate student Issy Goldstein recording a 20th-place result.
Men's Program Ready to Open Season
After a long and productive preseason, the No. 9 Wake Forest men's cross country team is ready to open their regular season at Gans Creek.
The Demon Deacons earned several preseason accolades, including being picked as the favorite to repeat as ACC Men's Cross Country champions in the ACC Preseason poll. The Deacs were also ranked 10th in the USTFCCCA Preseason Poll, as well as fifth in the FloTrack Preseason Poll.
Meet the Squad
The Demon Deacons return a large part of their production from last season, including four of their top five finishers at the 2024 NCAA Cross Country Championships.
Wake Forest is led by six fourth-year members, including All-Region and All-ACC honoree Joe O'Brien, as well as senior Paul Specht and redshirt juniors Gavin Ehlers, Bryce Gilmore, Jackson Keefer, and Daniel Winter.
Gavin Ehlers | Redshirt Junior | Westhampton Beach, N.Y. | Westhampton Beach HS
During his redshirt sophomore season, Ehlers recorded a personal-best time of 23:48.9 at the ACC Cross Country Championships. He also raced at the NCAA Southeast Region Cross Country Championships, where he had placed 31st a season before, and the NCAA Cross Country Championships.
Bryce Gilmore | Redshirt Junior | Carlsbad, Calif. | Sage Creek HS
Gilmore most recently competed for the Demon Deacons during the 2023 season, having earned a sixth-place finish at the Hokie Open. Gilmore, who missed all of last season, also competed at the Covered Bridge Open as a sophomore.
Jackson Keefer | Redshirt Junior | Bend, Ore. | Summit HS
Keefer achieved multiple personal-best times during the 2024 season, including posting a time of 18:02.4 to help him place 10th in the 6k race at the adidas XC Challenge. Keefer also recorded a personal-best time in the 8k at the highly competitive Panorama Farms Invitational.
Joe O'Brien | Redshirt Junior | York, England | York College
After earning championship experience in 2023, O'Brien earned both All-ACC and All-Region honors during the 2024 season. O'Brien finished in 16th with a personal-best time of 22:59.4 to help guide the Demon Deacons to an ACC Championship. He followed that up with a 10th-place finish at the NCAA Southeast Region Cross Country Championships, before helping guide the Deacs to a seventh place finish at the NCAA Cross Country Championships as he finished in 56th, clocking 29:34.7.
Paul Specht | Senior | Sindelfingen, Germany | Gymnasium Unterrieden
Specht set multiple career-best times during his junior season, including a time of 31:46.7 in the 10k during the NCAA Southeast Region Cross Country Championships. He also posted a personal-best 8k time of 23:51.5 at the ACC Cross Country Championships. Specht also added a personal-best time to finish 16th in the 6k race at the adidas XC Challenge.
Daniel Winter | Redshirt Junior | Stockton, Calif. | St. Mary's
Winter competed in one event during the 2024 season for the Demon Deacons, recording a personal-best time in the 8k race during the Panorama Farms Invitational.
In addition, the Demon Deacons are led by four juniors this season, including 2024 Cross Country All-American and 2023 ACC Freshman of the Year Charlie Sprott, along with Rocky Hansen, Hunter Jones, and Aidan Ross.
Rocky Hansen | Junior | Hendersonville, N.C. | Christ School
Hansen played a pivotal role in helping the Demon Deacons secure seventh-place at the NCAA Cross Country Championships as he finished in 100th after recording a personal-best time of 29:55.7 in the 10k. Hansen also placed 32nd at the ACC Cross Country Championships, as well as a second place finish at the Nuttycombe Invitational.
Hunter Jones | Junior | Thompsonville, Mich. | Benzie Central HS
Jones recorded a personal-best time on an 8k course during the Panorama Farms Invitational, posting a time of 23:31.8 en route to an eighth place finish. Jones also placed 51st at the ACC Cross Country Championships and 62nd at the NCAA Southeast Region Cross Country Championships last season.
Aidan Ross | Junior | Uxbridge, Mass. | Uxbridge HS
After earning championship experience during his freshman campaign, Ross followed up by earning All-ACC honors last season after placing 15th overall at the ACC Cross Country Championships, helping the Deacs win the ACC Championship in the process. Ross also recorded a personal-best time of 30:12.8 at the NCAA Cross Country Championships. He also added a fifth place finish at the Panorama Farms Invitational.
Charlie Sprott | Junior | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Sprott followed up a breakthrough debut season, which saw him be named the ACC Freshman of the Year in 2023, with an incredible sophomore season. Sprott led the Demon Deacons with a 32nd-place finish at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, finishing the race with a personal-best time of 29:21.6 to earn All-American honors and guide the Deacs to a seventh-place result. He earned All-Region honors after finishing in 11th-place at the NCAA Southeast Region Cross Country Championships. Sprott also helped Wake Forest claim the ACC Cross Country title by finishing in 14th at the ACC Cross Country Championships, resulting in All-ACC honors. In addition, Sprott added a top-10 finish at the Panorama Farms Invitational.
Wake Forest also returns a pair of second-year runners who made a significant impact last season in 2024 ACC Freshman of the Year JoJo Jourdon and Wes Shipsey. Meanwhile, sophomore Foster Shelbert and redshirt freshmen Corey Campbell and Grant Morgenfeld will be looking to make their collegiate debuts this season.
JoJo Jourdon | Sophomore | Salt Lake City, Utah | Olympus HS
Jourdon had an incredible freshman campaign during the 2024 season, highlighted by earning ACC Freshman of the Year honors. Jourdon earned All-ACC honors last season after placing eighth overall at the ACC Cross Country Championships, helping the Demon Deacons earn the ACC Championship. Jourdon also placed 40th at the NCAA Southeast Region Cross Country Championships, before ending his freshman year with a personal-best time of 29:30.7 and 47th place result at the NCAA Cross Country Championships.
Wes Shipsey | Sophomore | Portland, Ore. | Central Catholic HS
Shipsey competed in three meets during the 2024 season, including the Panorama Farms Invitational and the ACC Cross Country Championships. Shipsey made his Wake Forest debut at the adidas XC Challenge, earning 15th-place after clocking a personal-best time of 18:11.4 on the 6k course.
Finally, the Deacs added four new members to the squad this past offseason, including redshirt senior Lucas Guerra, who transferred in from Georgetown, and freshmen Max Cervi-Skinner, Zackery Cervi-Skinner, and Landon Pretre.
The John Hayes Era
Since arriving in Winston-Salem in 2016, Hayes has helped the men's cross country team grow into a national powerhouse. Under his leadership, the Demon Deacons have claimed two ACC titles in 2022 and 2024, resulting in Hayes earning ACC Coach of the Year honors both years. Hayes was also named USTFCCCA Southeast Region Coach Of The Year four of the last five seasons (2020-22, 2024).
Along with their success in the ACC, the Deacs have also earned a spot at the NCAA Cross Country Championships in five consecutive seasons, extending the longest streak in program history. During this five-year stretch, Wake Forest has finished inside the top-10 twice, including a program-best fifth-place finish in 2022.
Over the course of his tenure with the Deacs, Hayes has produced six All-Americans, including Zach Facioni, the first three-time All-American in program history. Hayes has also coached four ACC Freshman of the Year performers, including back-to-back winners in Charlie Sprott (2023) and JoJo Jourdon (2024), and 14 All-ACC honorees.
Up Next
The Demon Deacons return to action on Friday, Oct. 10 as the women's team heads back to Charlotte to compete in the Royals Challenge. The men's program will be back in action for their final regular season meet of the season at the Panorama Farms Invitational on Oct. 17.
Follow the Demon Deacons
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | #GoDeacs
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