WATERFORD, Conn. - The Norwich University men's cross country team concluded their championship season with a 20th-place finish out of 24 teams at the 2024 NCAA Div. III Mideast Regional on Saturday afternoon at Harkness Memorial State Park.

The Cadets logged 611 points, surpassing Potsdam State University, SUNY Canton, Salve Regina University, and Vermont State University Castleton en route to finishing just 19 points behind Western New England.  Norwich took on premier competition and top talent from teams from around the New England and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Seth Varin (Danielson, Conn.) paced the Cadet effort for the first time this season, crossing the line in 27:57.4 in Saturday's 8K to check in at 109th to close his All-Conference First Team junior campaign.

Two of the last three Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Rookies of the Year followed Varin, as Judson Nash (Boerne, Texas) was not far behind, finishing in 28:21.5 to finish second for the Cadets and 120th overall.  Matheu Dettenrieder (Tribes Hill, N.Y.), the reigning Rookie of the Year, captured 128th on 28:49.5.

Jacob Reed (Thompson, Conn.) and Leo Circosta (Greensboro, Vt.) rounded out Norwich's five scorers, checking in at 131st and 142nd on 29:01.4 and 30:17.9 efforts.  Kyle Duffek (Chandler, Ariz.) and Landon Pandolph (Peru, N.Y.) filled out the Cadets' seven runners.

RPI turned in a dominant performance to win the team title. The Engineers placed five runners in the top nine and finished with a score of 29 points, ahead of runner-up Williams College (76).  Middlebury College (118), Wesleyan College (130), and Amherst College (137) rounded out the top five in the team standings.  Nathan Tassey from Roger Williams University took home medalist honors, finishing first in the field of 172 runners with a time of 24:03.4. 

MEN'S LEADERS:

• Junior Seth Varin (Danielson, Conn.)
  • 109th, 27:54.4
• Junior Judson Nash (Boerne, Texas)
  • 120th, 28:21.5
• First-year Matheu Dettenrieder (Tribes Hill, N.Y.)
  • 128th, 28:49.5
• Senior Jacob Reed (Thompson, Conn.)
  • 131st, 29:01.4
• First-year Leo Circosta (Greensboro, Vt.)
  • 142nd, 30:17.9
• Sophomore Kyle Duffek (Chandler, Ariz.)
  • 144th, 30:25.0
• Sophomore Landon Pandolph (Peru, N.Y.)
  • 145th, 30:29.4

The Cadets close one of their most dominant seasons in program history, as Norwich recently captured their 12th GNAC Championship ever earlier this month.  All seven of Norwich's NCAA Div. III Mideast Regional runners received All-Conference recognition after the conference meet, while Head Coach Michael McGrane was tapped as the GNAC Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year.