WILLIAMSTOWN, MA – Head coach Pete Farwell will begin his 41st season leading the men’s cross-country team on September 7th at the Monmouth Invitational in Monmouth, New Jersey. This year, the Ephs are looking to reclaim the NESCAC and New England titles – in fact, they are the favorites to win both – and hope to make even more noise on the national level.
In 2018, the Ephs improved from their 2017 season, finishing 2nd at the NESCAC championships (5th in 2017), 2nd at the NCAA DIII New England Regional (4th in 2017), and 8th at the NCAA DIII Championship (13th in 2017). The United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) is expecting another significant leap forward for the Williams men’s team this year, ranking them 1st in New England DIII and tied for 2nd nationally for the 2019 season. In the USTFCCCA’s rankings, the Ephs are tied with Washington (Mo.) and behind only North Central.
The Ephs return their entire squad that they sent to the NCAA Championship last year. Ryan Cox ’20, Aidan Ryan ‘21 and Elias Lindgren ‘22, all of whom earned All-NESCAC honors in 2018, will be back. Last year, Cox became the first male Eph to earn All-American honors since 2015, finishing in 6th at the NCAA Championship with a personal best of 24:37.2. Ryan finished the season his own personal record of 25:01.2. And Lindgren, who finished third among the Ephs with a time of 25:40.2, turned in the 6th best time of a DIII freshman.
Joining them from last year’s NCAA Championship roster will be Tristan Colaizzi ’20, William McGovern ’20, Sam Wischnewsky ’20 and Kevin LaFleche ’20. Additionally, the Ephs will welcome the return of Peter Kirgis ’20 and Nick Gannon ’20, both of whom studied abroad last fall and finished in the top 7 during their sophomore years.
Two more Ephs to keep an eye on are Lucas Estrada ’20 and Jake Lange ’21. Estrada spent most of last season in the top 7, while Lange has been a standout steepler for track and field and is one of the top candidates to make a leap this year on cross country.
Cox, Colaizzi and Kenneth Marshall ’20 will serve as team captains.
In addition to the robust senior class, a whopping thirteen new first-years will be joining the team – highlighted by Will Spollen ’23 and Simon Kissam ’23, who are strong candidates to move up as the season progresses. The roster size will increase from 40 to 45 this year.
Coach Farwell and his assistants Dusty Lopez and Jamie Norton are excited and optimistic about the season ahead: “Our whole roster has been dedicated to their summer training and the ‘Quest’ they are on, individually and as a whole. Already in our first pre-season week they have furthered their team chemistry and fitness, and each day are taking the next steps forward. We look forward to each workout, and each meet,” enthuses Coach Farwell. “This is the largest, most experienced senior class in team history, and they look ahead to meeting every challenge.”
On September 14th, the Ephs will race against Amherst and Wesleyan in the Little Three Championship, hosted by Wesleyan. The Ephs’ first home meet will be the Purple Valley Classic on Saturday, September 28th. The Ephs will also host the NESCAC championships on Saturday, November 2nd.
