MANKATO, Minn. - A new season of Bethany cross country is set to begin Friday evening under the direction of first-year head coach Dominic Santina. Along with Santina, the Vikings will see a few new faces on both the men's and women's teams.
 
"There definitely has been an adjustment," said Santina. "About half of our team are returners and the other half are new incoming athletes. Getting to learn how they operate and how I operate as a coach has been an adjustment for everyone. This week, from my perspective as a coach, I think we are starting to settle in a little bit. Everyone is feeling a little more comfortable knowing how we operate. As the season goes on, hopefully we'll get those bonds built. I've noticed them having more conversation and spending more time talking to each other which is good. Running together is always a good way to build those connections. I think it's starting but it will be a season long process to get it to where we want it to be."
 
The Viking men were voted fourth in the UMAC preseason coaches poll while the women were picked to finish fifth. Last season, the women took fifth at the conference meet while the men placed seventh. 
 
"Our goals are fluid," said Santina. "We are coming in kind of hard pressed for roster numbers this year. We briefly started the conversation about individual goals but we'll see where the team shapes up before we really start talking about team goals. We definitely have some athletes that can do some good things this year, but we need to figure out the whole depth of the roster."
 
The women's squad has two returners, Sophia Urban and Taryn Zellmann. Zellmann has been thrust into a captain's role for a team that includes three first-years and no upperclassmen. The men's captain is James Younge, who is the only upperclassmen on a squad the features one sophomore and three first-years.
 
"James is feeling comfortable and matured a lot and is set to lead this young men's team," said Santina. Taryn is one of very few returners. She is mature for being a sophomore on this team and is already starting to embrace the position she has been put in. She is showing the leader mentality and showing the girls how it is done.
 
"I think most freshmen come in a little shy and unsure of things but I think we are starting to see them slowly open up. They are starting to get the routine of things and not as anxious."
 
The 2025 season opener is tomorrow at the St. Olaf Ole 5K Opener. The Vikings will then take two weeks off before competing in Mason City, Iowa. The UMAC Championship is Nov. 1 in Winthrop.