MAYS LANDING – The Atlantic Cape Community College Buccaneers women’s cross country program, led by Head Coach Shane Ritchie, commences the 2026 season, its third as a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 19 Division III, with high expectations.
This year’s squad features two freshman student–athletes — Cape May resident Hannah Souder and Buena resident Julia Dimitriou — who come to Atlantic Cape with prior high school cross country running experience. The Buccaneers first race of the season will come at Stockton University’s Osprey Open on September 19 in Galloway, NJ.
“We have added an extra runner from last year. We are looking to build off the success from last year where we had a top 25 finish in the national championship. We're looking to replicate that success, hopefully go back to the national championship and to perform very well again in Region 19,” said Ritchie.
Last year’s Buccaneer cross country student–athlete Alexandra Ramirez finished 24th out of 80 Division III runners at the 2025 NJCAA Women’s Cross-Country Championships in Iowa. Ramirez, who is an assistant coach with Ritchie this year, also placed fourth place at the NJCAA Region 19 Championships.
For this year’s two student–athlete runners, cross country at Atlantic Cape is more than pounding the pavement and navigating winding trails.
Souder, a Studio Arts major who graduated from Lower Cape May Regional High School in June, was a three–time Cape Atlantic League All–Star during her four years running cross country. She also ran winter and spring track as well. Souder is currently taking her classes at the College’s Cape May County campus in Cape May Court House and simply enjoys the fun of running.
“I've always loved the outcomes and I've always made friends along the way. Like at every meet, we would always meet new people and it would just be awesome. I just feel like it creates so many bonds and it makes you feel better. No matter what you're doing, you should always run, especially cross country,” said Souder, who has hopes of one day becoming an art therapist.
Souder said one of the reasons why she chose to attend Atlantic Cape was because she was impressed with how nice everyone was on campus.
“I wanted to start somewhere where there's not as much pressure like at a four–year college or university, which can be so expensive.”
Dimitriou, an NJSTARS General Studies major who graduated from Buena Regional High School in June, has been running cross country since middle school.
“I love cross country because it's a sport that nobody wants to do. I feel like the people who do cross country do it because they actually enjoy it. I like being with those people because they are so nice and the coaches are always nice, plus I have always had great teammates,” said Dimitriou. “After you finish running, it gives you such a happy feeling, where even if it's hard, you feel energized and glad you did it.”
Dimitriou is also interested in art therapy and would like to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia in two years.
For now, though, Souder and Dimitriou are content continuing their cross country careers here at Atlantic Cape and living by the motto that “our fun is everyone else’s punishment!”
Visit atlanticcape.edu/womensxc for more information on upcoming meets, roster, coaches and results.
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About Atlantic Cape Community College
Established in 1964, Atlantic Cape Community College is a Middle States-accredited, Hispanic-serving institution proudly serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. As a comprehensive, two-year community college, Atlantic Cape offers more than 50 undergraduate degree programs and 33 certificate and workforce development professional series programs at its Mays Landing, Atlantic City, and Cape May campuses. Atlantic Cape is home to the renowned Academy of Culinary Arts, rated the top culinary school in New Jersey, and to its highly acclaimed Nursing program for more than 60 years. Atlantic Cape also partners with more than 30 colleges and four-year universities to offer students the opportunity to seamlessly earn a bachelor’s degree upon graduation.
