Wayne State University Athletics

Clockwise (from top left): Annalee Misch, Natalie Davies, Jeremy Cavallo, Charlene Yarema (and Zac Truman), Alex Townsend, Melissa (Moncion) Kessler (and Justin Kessler), Zahid Salodawala, and Zac Truman.

Men's Cross Country 12/26/2025 7:32:00 AM Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

Cross Country Alums Participate in Marathons Across The Country

DETROIT -- Many Wayne State University cross country alums have competed in marathons throughout the country this fall.

"Something we want every graduate of our cross country program at Wayne State to take with them is the lifestyle of distance running, staying in an athletic mindset, and being healthy for life," commented WSU head cross country coach Grant Lofdahl.

"When some Warriors decide to keep on competing, that's even better in my mind, and when they take the challenge of racing 26.2 miles, it's amazing to follow those journeys. Seeing so many WSU alums running marathons recently has been very exciting, and this fall there were Warriors excelling in the marathon all across the country! I am proud of their commitment and effort, and also excited to see the results from many more who are racing in the spring of 2026."

Runner (Years at Wayne State) -- Marathon Location - 2025 Date - time (listed chronologically by date)
Zahid Salodawala (2018-22) – Long Beach – October 5 – 2:43:22 (PR)
Alex Townsend (2008-11) – Chicago – October 12 – 2:29:29 (PR)
Jeremy Cavallo (2019-23) – Chicago – October 12 – 2:36:39 (PR)
Reagan Justice (2021-24) – Detroit – October 19 – 2:48:09 (2nd female overall) -- RunMichigan Interview
Zac Truman (2018-23) – Detroit – October 19 – 2:20:38 (3rd overall)
Melissa (Moncion) Kessler (2002-05) – Detroit – October 19 – 2:57:25 (2nd masters)
Kevin Salter (2013-17) -- Detroit -- October 19 -- 4:18.05
Teresa Diehl (2016-19) -- Detroit -- October 19 -- 4:25.04
Charlene Yarema (2019-23) – Marine Corps (DC) – October 26 – 3:23:56
Natalie Davies (2021-24) – Indianapolis – November 8 – 3:18:19 (debut)
Annalee Misch (2021-24) – California International (Sacramento) – December 7 -- 3:10:57 (debut)
Joe Verellen (1999-2003) - Rocket City Marathon (Huntsville, Ala.) -- December 14 -- 2:50.14

In addition, Joe Verellen and Renee (Moncion) Verellen (2001-04) ran the Detroit Free Press Half-Marathon. Joe finished 25th (1:16.07), while Renee placed 112th (1:31.47). Haley Boccomino (2016-17) also ran the Half-marathon in 2:14.30.

Lauren (Kessler) Couls (2007-10) - Detroit - 5k - 20:38

In addition to the cross country runners mentioned above, several other former WSU student-athletes competed in the Detroit Free Press Marathon:

Swimmer Franz Mueller (2017-22), 3:36.27 (374th)
Baseball Christian Bilkovic (2011-15), 4:00.53 (861st)
Swimmer Jack Rogers (2017-21), 4:14.36 (1,149th)
Swimmer Clayton Kinnard (2021-25), 4:16.20 (1,203rd)
Swimmer Stewart Nowinski (2018-23), 4:16.29 (1,206th)
Softball Alison (Allen) Ortega (2009-12), 4:19.46 (1,309th)
Swimmer Isidora Sekaric (2020-24), 4:20.37 (1,333rd)
Swimmer Fernando Costa (2007-09), 4:23.54 (1,421st)
Swimmer Matt Vassilakos (2019-23), 4:53.56 (2,181st)
Diver Mikaela Senkus (2020-24), 5:15.58 (2,647th)
Swimmer Hannah Gurecki (2020-24), 5:29.07 (2,879th)

If anyone was accidentally omitted, please reach out to sports information director Jeff Weiss via email.

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Players Mentioned

Natalie Davies: 5' 7"; Senior

Reagan Justice: 5' 4"; Senior

Annalee Misch: 5' 6"; Senior

Players Mentioned

Natalie Davies
: 5' 7"; Senior

Reagan Justice
: 5' 4"; Senior

Annalee Misch
: 5' 6"; Senior