Bronx, NY – The Monroe University men's cross country team is set to begin its 2025 season at the Queensborough Invite / NJCAA Division I Region 15 Championship at Van Cortlandt Park on Sunday.
 
"The upcoming season will be one of excitement, though with the unusual late start to the season, each runner has been preparing for this moment,' head coach Shirvon Greene said. "They are very new to the sport and are eager to make their marks in the history books. [We] have a great group."
 
The lone returner is sophomore Nkanyezi Ziqubu, who looks to lead the Mustangs to another prominent season after the team placed in the top-three of every regular season event in 2024.
 
Ziqubu is aided by two of his teammates from the track and field seasons — Modou Sanneh and Douglas Lee. For Sanneh and Lee, both accomplished runners at Monroe during their freshman track seasons, this will be their first time competing in cross country.
 
Additionally, a crop of five freshmen will help to balance out the squad. Jazir Harris, Jahiem Lawrence, Boitshepo Mashilo, Yassine Rahoui and Emilio Bishop all will aim to make their mark at the collegiate level with their first season of competition.
 
It all starts on Sunday, with the men's team beginning their race at noon.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE UNIVERSITY
The athletic program at Monroe University encompasses a total of 26 teams competing across nine sports. There are 19 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as the Monroe University marching band, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has seven teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level.
 
For more information about the Monroe Mustangs, please visit us at www.MonroeUMustangs.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe Mustangs Athletics), Twitter (@MonroeMustangs) and Instagram (@monroemustangs).