LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East will host one of the largest men's cross country championships in the country this upcoming fall as it welcomes 15 teams to the championship site. Cairn University will be this year's host with the meet set for October 28.
Last year, the Valley Forge Patriots were crowned the winners of the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Championship, while Bryn Athyn's Rafe Williams was tabbed the Runner of the Year after placing first. The United East title went to now-departed SUNY Morrisville, with Lancaster Bible's Mitchell Gray collecting a first place finish and Runner of the Year honors.
Check out all 15 programs here:
Keystone College
Winners of the 2021 CSAC Cross Country Championships, Keystone is looking to rebuild in 2023. Corey Scochin finished 7th in the CSAC Championships last season, improving upon his 10th place finish in 2021, while picking up First Team All-Conference honors along the way.
Coach’s Outlook: “With limited team numbers this year, we will be focusing on individual improvement and success. Corey Scochin will be looking to improve on his 7th place CSAC Championship Meet finish. We are excited also for freshman joining the team this fall that will add some spark and excitement to the Giants Cross Country teams. “
Cairn University
Brian Jennings enters his 2nd season at the helm of the Cairn Cross Country program with a young team looking to improve on last season’s 3rd place finish at the 2022 CSAC Championships. Moving into the United East this year, the Highlanders are led by sophomore Titus Dingle (First Team All-Conference) who finished 5th overall in his collegiate debut last year. Nicholas Palladino also added a Top 15 finish and a Second Team All-Conference nod while the incoming class is poised to develop and round out the scoring five.
Coach’s Outlook: “The team is in a building year and we are excited to see how we do with the new runners joining.”
Clarks Summit University
After a second-place finish in last year’s CSAC Championships, Clarks Summit University will look to continue a strong cross country presence in the United East for 2023. First-year head coach Matt Ford will have a couple of strong performers returning for the Defenders. Sophomores Ryan Spinello (9th; 2nd Team All-Conference) and Ethan Hofsetter (15th) had strong collegiate debuts in last season's Championship Meet.
Coach’s Outlook: “Second place was a solid end to the (2022) season, but we were gunning for the championship title. This year we will push for the top. We have a lot of room to grow, our team is full of hard working individuals. It will take hard work and dedication, but we have a good chance at coming out on top. What I do know is we will end the season knowing we gave it our very best, leaving everything on the course with no regrets.”
Gallaudet University
Coach Byron Moore is excited about his 2023 squad as the team looks forward to bettering their 8th place finish at their 2022 United East Championships. Despite losing a trio of veteran runners, the Bison return their top runner from last season in Troy Holcomb, who placed 18th at the Conference Championships.
Coach’s Outlook: “We have a really good freshman class coming to the team this Fall that will hopefully inspire the rest of the team.”
Penn State Harrisburg
Head Coach Kadine Crowder begins her second full season at the head of the cross country programs at Penn State Harrisburg and returns a couple of key contributors as the Lions are looking forward to improving upon last year’s 5th place finish in the United East Championships. Senior Mohamed Sakayl had a strong 2022 season finishing in 10th place overall at the United East Championships and securing Second Team All-Conference honors. Sophomore Jon Carnesi should hop into the scoring five to strengthen the team scores through the season.
Coach’s Outlook: “I am very excited about this season. The incoming class and the returners are poised to really show what they have to offer and I can't wait to see it.”
St. Mary’s College of Maryland
Reava Potter begins her 3rd season at the helm of the St. Mary’s cross country team and has an experienced squad returning after a 2nd place team finish at the 2022 United East Championships. Michael Wade returns after a runner up finish (28.01.9; 27:23,50 PR) at the championship meet and earning First Team All-Conference honors. Quentin Pastore returns for his senior season after earning Second Team All-Conference honors.
Coach’s Outlook: “We have a good group of young men that are looking to improve upon their team placement and personal best. I’m excited to see how the returners step up and newcomers contribute.”
Lancaster Bible College
Led by Katy Latta (formerly Brake), the Lancaster Bible College men’s cross country team is looking to improve upon their 4th place finish from just a season ago. Returning to the team is senior Mitchell Gray who was not only the United East Runner of the Year, but also an All-Region honoree as he finished in 26th at the Regional Meet. Joining Gray will be Adam Horning who finished eighth at the 2022 Championship and Daniel Lefko.
Coach’s Outlook: “The merger of the conferences has opened our team's possibilities. We've got a solid group of returners both in performance and culture. Alex McWilliams (SR) could be an unsung hero this season and we are excited to see how the summer work has helped him.”
Notre Dame of Maryland University
Notre Dame of Maryland University begins men’s cross country as a varsity sport in 2023 as they welcome men onto campus for the first time in Fall 2023. The Gators look forward to competing in the United East with a new group of student-athletes in their first season.
Coach’s Outlook: “This season is about establishing a culture here at Notre Dame of Maryland being in my first season. The goal is for each runner to PR throughout the season and progressively improve. At the end of the season, progression will be the goal, and having a solid foundation moving forward.”
Bryn Athyn College
Head Coach Jesse King (10th season) returns the entire team in 2023 headlined by junior Rafe Williams; the two-time defending CSAC Runner of the Year and two-time CSAC Champion. Junior Declan Williams was First-Team All Conference in 2021 and Second Team after an 11th place finish in 2022. The scoring five will look to improve through the season to improve upon last season’s 4th place finish as a team.
Coach’s Outlook: “(We are) looking to add depth in 2023. Returning the entire team from 2022. Hopefully compete in a larger / stronger conference.”
Penn College
Young talent was on display for the Wildcats in 2022 and the squad looks to keep adding in 2023. Tom Leeser enters his second season as the Penn College men’s cross country coach, helping the team earn a third place finish in his first year. Mitch Campbell played a large part in that, earning Rookie of the Year status as he finished the meet in 26:49 (3rd place). Matthew Woolcock also collected All-Conference honors with a 28:23 finish (7th Place).
Coach’s Outlook: “On the men's side we are optimistic that some solid summer training will pay dividends. Our mix of 5 returners and some promising freshmen additions should allow us to be competitive with top teams in the expanded conference.”
Saint Elizabeth University
David Ringwood begins his first season at Saint Elizabeth heading up the cross country and track and field programs. He inherits a rebuilding program who is looking to compete in the United East Conference. Sophomore Yamere Diggs competed at the CSAC Championships in 2022 as a first-year.
Coach’s Outlook: “Heading into our first year with a sponsored Track & Field program, I am excited for the team to experience the effects of a year-round focus. Cross Country will be an opportunity for this young program to acclimate to all that is new (coach, teammates, conference) while maintaining a growth mindset through each meet. The energy is high as we welcome first-year athletes to establish what should be a monumental year in Saint Elizabeth University XCTF program history.”
Penn State Abington
The whole team returns for Abington, helping create some veteran leadership for the Nittany Lions. Headed by Jim McClernand (7th season), last year’s Championship Meet hosts will set their sights on climbing the standings. Nicolas Nieves-Rodriguez was the top finisher a season ago, placing 16th with a time of 30:46. Marco Isabella and Nicholas Worrall will accompany him as upperclassmen. Abington will host its own meet on September 30th in hopes to gear up for the Championship meet a month later.
Coach’s Outlook: “2022 was a rebuilding year for us. All of our runners were new to the team. We saw promise in many of them but injuries and inexperience prevented the team from a higher finish. With experience and an injury free season along with some new freshmen, we are hoping to be in the mix.”
Penn State Berks
Ryan Foster takes over as head coach of the Penn State Berks Men’s Cross Country Program, hoping to better the squad’s 6th-place finish in last year’s Championship. Patrick O’Donnell has been a cornerstone for the team, most recently placing fourth at the 2022 United East Championship with a time of 28:43. Avi Hochauser also returns for his sophomore season after earning Second Team All-Conference honors in his rookie campaign.
Coach’s Outlook: “Berks is beginning 2023 with a solid top two, Senior Patrick O’Donnell and Sophomore Avi Hochhauser. Incoming freshman Jake Dougherty, Sophomores Joel Benedick and Tyler Bannon, round out the top five. This season will be a rebuilding year for Berks. First Year head coach Ryan Foster and Assistant, former 2x United East Conference Champion, Michelle (Kiss) Foster, see the potential for everyone to have career best times. The goal is to keep everyone healthy and to use each race as a building block for the next.”
University of Valley Forge
Valley Forge won the institution’s first ever NCAA conference championship last season as the men’s cross country team won the CSAC Championship Meet; placing five runners into the top ten. An experienced squad will return in 2023 led by senior Isaac Gale who looks to improve upon a 4th place finish last year while Nate Gale finished in 6th place; both earning First Team All-Conference honors. Also returning, Paul Nadrowski came in 8th and Aaron Jackson finished 10th; both securing Second Team All-Conference awards.
Coach’s Outlook: “We are very excited for the merger to continue to challenge our student athletes. With some excellent returning pieces paired with some exciting new faces we look forward to another great season.”
Rosemont College
Rosemont will look to continue building their cross country programs in 2023 as the Ravens look for improvement over the course of the season as head coach John Solewin begins his first year at the helm. Sophomore Ryan Olesky finished third overall in the 2022 CSAC Championships while sophomore Dominic Younger just missed a Top 20 finish as well. The Ravens open the season on Friday, September 1 at the Misericordia University Invitational.
Coach’s Outlook: “Eagerly anticipating the opportunity to step into my new role as coach and collaborate with a group of exceptionally skilled runners. Enthusiastically looking forward to contributing to the resurgence of Rosemont's Cross Country team!”
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The United East boasts 17 NCAA Division III full member institutions which include: Bryn Athyn College, Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Clarks Summit University, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Harrisburg, Rosemont College, Saint Elizabeth University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, University of Valley Forge, and Wilson College. For more information, please visit gounitedeast.com.