ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Roberts Wesleyan University women's cross country team welcomes seven new distance runners this season.

The Redhawks open their season on Saturday at the Daemen Alumni Invitational and Director of Cross Country and Track and Field Andrew Dorr is looking forward to seeing the first-year runners in action.

"They all seem really eager and self-disciplined, so it could be a really good group that develops well," Dorr said.

Let's meet the newest Redhawks:

Zoe Maupin

Year: Freshman
Hometown: Camillus, N.Y.
High school: West Genesee
Major: Nursing
Before Roberts:  Member of National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society ... Served as captain of cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field teams as a sophomore, junior and senior ... Served as class secretary all four years of high school … Competed at Indoor Track and Field Nationals junior and senior year in the 4-by-800 meter relay and the 800-meter leg in the Sprint Medley Relay.
Why I chose Roberts: "The strong sense of community at Roberts within the classroom and on the cross country and track and field teams. Additionally, the excellence of the Nursing program."
Best thing I like about being at Roberts: "How quickly I've bonded with the cross country team and the interactions I've had with my professors." 

Amelia Mickelson

Year: Freshman
Hometown: Grahamsville, N.Y.
High school: Tri-Valley Central School District
Major: Physical Education
Before Roberts: Graduated top five of graduating class … Member of Student Council, Vice President of National Honor Society and Senior Class President ... Competed in the NYSPHSAA Cross Country championships as a sophomore and senior ... Competed in the NYSPHSAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the 3000-meter run as a junior and the 4-by-800 relay as a junior and senior … Won Section IX cross country championship as a sophomore … Awarded the NYSPHSAA Sportsmanship award for the cross country season at the NYSPHSAA state meet during senior year ... Served as captain of the cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field teams during her junior and senior years.
Why I chose Roberts: "I chose Roberts because of how welcoming the staff, coach, students, and athletes are here. Roberts has a sense of challenging their students to be academically and athletically successful, but most importantly teaches students how to have the best character. The thought of leaving Roberts as someone with a strong sense of character, intelligence, and a stronger faith is why I chose Roberts."
Best thing I like about being at Roberts: "I love how kind and welcoming everyone is on and around campus. I feel as though this is a place where everyone comes together and truly wants to be the best person they can be, making it so easy to be an enjoyable experience."
 

Kennedy Mitchell

Year: Freshman
Hometown: Maize, Kans.
High school: Maize South High School
Major: Nursing
Before Roberts: Qualified for states four times in cross country … Team won one state cross country title.
Why I chose Roberts: "I choose Roberts because I felt I could succeed in academics and athletics. I also liked the team and coach."
Best thing I like about being at Roberts: "Preseason with the team." 

Paige Reeser

Year: Freshman
Hometown: Adamstown, Pa.
High school: Cocalico High School
Major: Nursing
Before Roberts: Member of National Honor Society … Honor Roll student … Earned four letters in both track and cross country  and served as team captain … Three-time league medalist, three-time district qualifier and two-time state participant.
Why I chose Roberts: "I loved the Christian community and the campus was somewhere I could call home."
Best thing I like about being at Roberts: "I really love the community, everyone is so welcoming and I already feel like I am a part of the family. There is always something to do on campus and to get involved which is an amazing quality."
 

Anna Roggie

Year: Freshman
Hometown: Croghan, N.Y.
High school: Beaver River
Major: Nursing
Before Roberts: Two-time Frontier League All-Star … Two-time Section III champion in track and field.
Why I chose Roberts: "Roberts prioritizes academics over athletics and is a very close-knit community."
Best thing I like about being at Roberts: "The Roberts team was very welcoming and wanted to include everyone and get to know everyone. The coaches have the best interests of the athletes in mind while keeping it individualized for each athlete."
 

Evelyn Schmit

Year: Freshman
Hometown: Grafton, Wis.
High school: Grafton
Major: Biology
Before Roberts:  Qualified for states while also earning all-conference accolades … Four-year letter winner ranks among the top 10 in school history in the 5K and top five in the 3,200 … Qualified for sectionals in 3,200 … Honor roll student earned All-State academic honors … Served as captain for cross country her junior and senior years.
Why I chose Roberts: "I chose Roberts because of the Christian community and as a place to grow my faith. I also chose Roberts because of the distance program and the close team camaraderie, something that I wanted to continue from high school."
Best thing I like about being at Roberts: "I really enjoyed the team and meeting the people that I will be running with. I enjoyed running and growing my knowledge of the sport."
 

Trista Webster

Year: Freshman
Hometown: Red Lion, Pa.
High school: Red Lion
Major: Biomedical Sciences
Before Roberts: Member of National Honor Society and distinguished honor roll … Two-time YAIAA All-Star in and two-time YAIAA Top 10 county medalist in cross country … Six-time medalist in track … Earned District 3 Sportsmanship Award and District 3 Academic Excellence Award … Served as team captain her junior and senior year … Earned seven varsity letters.
Why I chose Roberts: "I chose Roberts because of the Christian community, the amazing science programs, and because I have always wanted to go to school in New York. I was looking to join a cross country team that made me feel welcomed, supported, and that would make me better as an athlete and person, and I knew Roberts would do that."
Best thing I like about being at Roberts: "So far, I have really enjoyed spending time with my team and learning all about everyone's backgrounds and walks of life. I especially had fun on our team camping trip and participating in different challenges like our sandcastle building contest."