Women's Cross Country Signs Six Newcomers to the 2025 Recruiting Class

The Temple University women's cross country program is set to take a big step forward with the addition of six new student-athletes to the roster for the 2025 season as they continue to build a strong and competitive culture. The class comprises of all freshmen and spans three states (3 Pa., 2 Md., 1 R.I.). The 2025 class features state champions, record holders, academic award winners, and athletes who have competed at the national level.

Meet the 2025 Recruiting Class

Emilie Creighton | Freshman | Silver Spring, Md.

High School: James Hubert Blake High School
PRs: XC 5K – 18:28 | 1600m – 5:01 (Indoor) | 800m – 2:16 (Outdoor)
Honors: XC Most Valuable Freshman, 3x XC MVP, XC indoor and outdoor track captain
Academics: 4 years of honor roll
Records: School 5k record and part of SMR record
Quote: I chose Temple because of the coaches and the amazing opportunity of being on the team. It was the first school that made me feel welcomed and appreciated for my accomplishments. Based on my visits I was able to see how much the coaches care about the sport and the athletes. I also chose it for its PPHA program which will help me with my dreams of studying Veterinary medicine.
Coach's quote: This young lady is extremely talented and is going to bring her talents to not only the cross country course but the track as well.

Rian Johnson | Freshman | Hagerstown, Md.

High School: North Hagerstown
PRs: 4800m – 18:04 | 1600m – 4:42 | 800m – 2:12
Honors: Washington county runner of the year
Records:
School records in 4x800 relay, 800m, 1600m, and 3200m
County records in 800m, 1600m, 3200m
State meet record in 1600m
Quote: I chose Temple because they were one of the first schools to give me a chance. Once I visited, I loved the facility and campus and felt like it was a great opportunity to start a new chapter of my life.
Coach's quote: Rian is a once-in-a-lifetime find for Temple. She is not only talented, but competitive beyond belief. This young woman can achieve anything she puts her mind to. By the end of her collegiate career, she will be an All-American and multiple conference champion in my opinion.

Reese Morgan | Freshman | Clarks Summit, Pa.

High School: Abington Heights
PRs: XC 5K – 19:24 | 3200m – 11:42 | 1600m – 5:16 | 800m 2:17.8
Honors: All Region, All Conference, County All-Star First Team, Team Captain
Academics: Honor roll, Top 10% of class, National Honor Society
Quote: I chose Temple because of the location and the support that I felt from both the academic and athletic departments. When I visited, I immediately noticed that my academic goals aligned perfectly with the school's rigor and opportunities. Athletically, I was drawn to the team's culture and the coaches' philosophies, which I believe will set me up for success. I was also very interested in the unique Health Professions major that the College of Public Health offers, which allows me to explore different career paths in health care.
Coach's quote: Reese brings not only a hard work ethic but an excitement to training that is hard to find in athletes. She is going to help the culture of this team dramatically.

Brooke Shellenberger | Freshman | State College, Pa.

High School: State College Area High School
PRs: 800m – 2:22 | 400m – 1:02
Honors: 2x Pennsylvania Track and Field Coaches Association (PTFCA) Indoor Track and Field State Championships qualifier; Bronze medalist in the 4x800m relay at PTFCA indoor states; 2x Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association State Championships qualifier; Esprit de Corps award winner (Cross Country, 2024); Indoor Track and Field Coaches award winner (2025); 3x New Balance Nationals qualifier in 4x800m relay; Senior captain for both cross country and track; 4x Mid Penn Conference Team Champions (Cross Country)
Academics: Honor roll all semesters; American Choral Directors Association All Eastern Conference qualifier; Pennsylvania Music Educators Association All State Chorus qualifier; National Honors Society member; Tri-M Music Honors Society member; National Spanish Honors Society member; PA Seal of Biliteracy recipient (Spanish)
Quote: I chose Temple because of its great research programs as an R1 institution and its location in Philly with great internship and networking opportunities. Athletically, I was drawn by the many resources for student athletes as well as the coaches' ambitions for the future.
Coach's quote: This young lady has a work ethic like no one else. She will do anything to achieve greatness and that is not something you can coach.

Dagny Shiffler | Freshman | Gladwyne, Pa.

High School: The Shipley School
PRs:
XC 3K – 11:00 | XC 5K – 18:32
Indoor: 400m – 1:01.39 | 800m – 2:14.35 | 1500m – 4:45.78 | 1600m – 5:01.36 |3000m – 10:39.55
Outdoor: 400m – 59.07 | 800m – 2:16.50 | 1600m – 4:58.57 | 3200m – 11:04.40
Honors: 4x XC MVP; 3x Indoor Track MVP; 3x Outdoor Track MVP; 4x All-Friends School League (FSL) First Team (XC); 3x All-PAISAA First Team (XC); 3x All-FSL First Team (Outdoor Track); Indoor PAISAA State Champion 800m and 1600m (2024); FSL Champion XC (2024); Outdoor Track FSL Champion 1600m and 3200m (2025); 2x Main Line Athlete of the Week
Records: School records in indoor and outdoor 800m, 1500m, 1600m. Also, indoor 3000m and outdoor 3200m.
Quote: I chose Temple because it had exactly what I was looking for with my major in a top business school. I felt like my academic standards and goals aligned with Temple's mission and dedication to excellence. I was drawn to Temple athletically because of the coaches' philosophies and the team dynamics, as well as the many resources available for student-athletes.
Coach's quote: Dagny has an extremely dangerous range. She is a phenomenal cross country runner and even more dangerous on the track! She is going to achieve a lot of accolades here.

Rose Tuomisto | Freshman | Cumberland, R.I.

High School: Cumberland High School
PRs:
XC 5K: 19:05
Indoor: 1600m – 5:13 | 3200m – 11:32
Outdoor: 1600m – 5:13.01 | 3200m – 11:10
Honors: Second team all state cross country, 9th in the state meet; 3rd place 1k finish at R.I. Indoor State meet- third team all state; State runner-up in the 3k at R.I. Outdoor states- second team all state; 10th place finish at New England Outdoor track meet in the 3200m; All Class in XC,1500m outdoor, 4x4 outdoor; All division in XC, indoor, and outdoor.
Academics: All Academic all three seasons; Rhode Island Interscholastic League leadership and service award.
Records: School records in 3200m (11:10); 4xmile (21:08 indoor); 4xmile (21:07 outdoor).
Quote: I chose Temple for its great reputation in public health as well as the new college of public health being built right now! Additionally, I liked the accelerated master's in public health program, and I enjoyed the academic environment when I visited. I love all the resources that Temple has for athletes and felt that it would be a great environment for me to put forth my best effort. I felt a good connection with the team as well as the coaches. Overall, I feel that Temple supports all my needs academically and athletically.
Coach's quote: Rose is a phenomenal cross country runner and we are blessed to have her as a part of this program. I look forward to seeing all the success this young lady achieves. She is also going to help our mile/ 3k group out a ton during the track season!