Cross Country debuts 2025 season on Friday at Skipper Invitational

Auburn Hills, MI- The weather is cooling down but the trails are heating up as the 2025 cross country season is set to begin for the Oakland Community College men's and women's teams this Friday at the Skipper Invitational at Goodells County Park.

The cross country programs for OCC will be dancing to the beat of a "new" drum this year, as former Cross Country coach Tony Baracco, who led the team from 2007-2012, has returned to the helm to lead both the men's and women's programs in a new direction. Both teams are fielding seven runners for the upcoming year, all of which are freshman. With fresh talent and two programs eager to compete, Head Coach Tony Baracco is ready for what the season will bring. "We are growing as we go. This team is completely new with all freshman and we look forward to building throughout the season. We are young with talent and it is a joy to coach this team."

Both the men's and women's programs will compete in five races this Fall, including participating in the Wayne State Warrior Challenge in September, as well as taking a trip down to Indiana to race in the Bethel College Invitational.