Blue Demons Strengthen Cross Country Squad with 13 Additions

CHICAGO – DePaul head cross country coach Geoff Wayton introduced the program's 13-member newcomer class ahead of the 2026 campaign Thursday afternoon. Comprised of 11 freshmen and two transfers from across the country, the group brings a combination of collegiate experience and young talent to Lincoln Park.

The women's newcomers are led by Illinois Class 2A 800m state champion Cecilia Hilby and Wisconsin standout Ava Helmbrecht, while Rosie Gonzalez, Juli Hoover, Hayden McGuire, Macy Leahy and Frances Melinn add depth to the squad.

"These newcomers bring a great mix of talent and experience, and we're excited to see the impact they can make on our program," said Wayton.

On the men's side, the newcomer class features standout freshman Alex Krieg, along with Kiefer Barnes, Bryce Counihan and Caden Wolfe, and Florida transfer Edward Kepran, whose personal best 1:48.42 in the 800m adds proven collegiate experience to the Blue Demons' middle-distance group.

"We're looking forward to pushing into new territory in the BIG EAST over the next five years," said Wayton.

Rosie Gonzalez | Sophomore | Antioch, Ill.
A graduate of Antioch Community High School, Gonzalez took the NLCC conference and IHSA Section titles in her senior year to round out a successful high-school career. While at Ball State, she established collegiate personal bests of 22:26.1 in the 6k and 19:09.6 in the 5k.

Ava Helmbrecht | Freshman | Appleton, Wis.
A graduate of Appleton North, Helmbrecht joins the Blue Demons boasting a lifetime 5K cross-country record of 18:29.3. During her senior season, she earned individual runner-up honors at the WIAA Division 1 Sectionals and placed 13th overall at the 2025 WIAA State Championships to anchor her team's success.

Cecilia Hilby | Freshman | Aurora, Ill.
A graduate of Aurora Central Catholic, Hilby arrives in Lincoln Park as the reigning 2026 IHSA Class 2A 800m state champion with a school-record track time of 2:11.53. On the cross-country course, she was a perennial state contender, securing back-to-back All-State honors with top-16 finishes at the IHSA State Championships in both her sophomore and senior seasons.

Juli Hoover | Freshman | Bloomington, Ind.
A graduate of Bloomington South High School, Hoover closed her prep career by setting a lifetime 5K cross-country personal record of 19:29.1. A consistent postseason contributor for the Panthers, she helped lead her team to multiple IHSAA State Championship appearances, including a scoring performance at the 2025 state meet.

Macy Leahy | Freshman | Chicago, Ill.
Anchoring the postseason lineup at DePaul College Prep, Leahy was a key varsity contributor who clocked a lifetime 3-mile cross-country personal best of 17:54.1 during her senior year. Beyond her success on the course, she brings valuable championship experience as a state-qualifying relay competitor at the 2025 IHSA Track & Field Finals.

Hayden McGuire | Freshman | Bloomington, Ind.
A four-year varsity letterwinner at Bloomington North High School, McGuire served as a team MVP during her junior and senior seasons and was named the Cougars' "Rookie of the Year" as a freshman. She closed her decorated prep career by helping the North 4x400m and 4x800m relay teams qualify for the state finals, while individually placing in the top three across three events at the 2026 Conference Indiana meet.

Frances Melinn | Freshman | Lansing, Mich.
A standout distance runner from Michigan, Melinn arrives at DePaul following a decorated career at Lansing Catholic High School where she earned multiple All-State honors. She concluded her prep tenure by securing a top-10 finish at the 2025 MHSAA Division 2 State Cross Country Championships, boasting a lifetime 5K personal best of 19:39.4.

Sammi Rastrelli | Freshman | Warsaw, Ind.
A multi-time IHSAA State Championship qualifier from Indiana, Rastrelli brings a strong championship pedigree to the Blue Demons after a standout career at Warsaw Community High School. She capped her senior cross-country season with a personal-best 5K time of 18:19.3, consistently serving as a top-scoring runner for a Tigers program that frequently contended at the state level.

Kiefer Barnes | Freshman | Indianola, Iowa.
A standout distance talent from Iowa, Barnes joins the Blue Demons after a decorated four-year career at Indianola High School as a perennial Class 4A State qualifier. He concluded his prep tenure with a lifetime 5K cross-country personal best of 15:46.7 while setting track school records of 4:14.47 in the 1600m and 9:11.77 in the 3200m.

Bryce Counihan | Freshman | New Lennox, Ill.
A key varsity contributor from Illinois, Counihan arrives at DePaul following a standout tenure at Lincoln-Way Central High School. He concluded his prep career as an IHSA Class 3A State Cross Country Championship qualifier, boasting a lifetime 3-mile personal best of 14:47.1.

Edward Kepran | Junior | Panama City Beach, Fla.
A mid-distance standout transferring from the University of Florida, Kepran brings elite speed to the Blue Demons, headlined by a personal-best 1:48.42 in the 800m. A decorated athlete out of J.R. Arnold High School in Florida, he claimed the FHSAA Class 3A State Championship title in the 800m and competed in cross country throughout his prep career.

Alex Krieg | Freshman | Palatine, Ill.
A standout distance talent from Illinois, Krieg joins the Blue Demons following a decorated career at Palatine High School, where he was a multi-time IHSA State Championship qualifier. He concluded his senior campaign as an All-State performer with a 4th-place finish in the 3200m and a lifetime 3-mile cross-country personal best of 14:24.9.

Caden Wolfe | Freshman | Tinley Park, Ill.
A versatile distance standout from Tinley Park, Wolfe joins the Blue Demons after a decorated four-year career at Victor J. Andrew High School. A two-year varsity cross country standout, he qualified for the 2025 IHSA Class 3A State Championships with a lifetime 3-mile best of 14:51.7 and earned All-State track honors in the 800m with a personal best of 1:54.8.

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