TROY, N.Y. — The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's cross country program collected multiple of Liberty League honors, highlighted by first-year standout
Nathaniel McKee being named the Liberty League Rookie of the Year and head coach
John Lynch and his assistants earning Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year.
McKee's award marks the fifth consecutive season an RPI rookie has claimed the league's top first-year honor. He debuted at Vassar's Ron Stonitsch Invitational with a 16th-place 6K time of 19:50.2, recorded a season-best 8K of 25:30.4 at the Paul Short Run, and placed fourth at the Western New England Invitational in 25:41.7. He closed his campaign as the top rookie at the Liberty League Championship, finishing 17th in 26:17.9 to earn All-Liberty League Honorable Mention, and he was recognized four times as the league's Rookie of the Week.
Lynch, in his 15th season, guided the Engineers to their ninth straight Liberty League title, as all 14 RPI runners finished in the top 21 to secure All-Conference recognition (five on the First Team, four on the Second Team, and five as Honorable Mention). Two weeks later, RPI captured a second consecutive NCAA Division III Mideast Regional crown, placing all seven scorers in the top 20 for All-Region honors.
At the NCAA Division III Championship, the Engineers delivered a program-best fifth-place team finish and set a program record with three All-Americans in a single season:
Evan Lacey (22nd, 24:27.9),
Colin Goldschmidt (26th, 24:32.4), and
Tobin Durham (28th, 24:33.1). Lynch's staff includes Karina Bolton, Ben Fazio, Allison Thayer, Hannah Tighe, and Austin Turner.
RPI's All-Liberty League honorees were determined by championship finish, with Lacey (25:20.6), Goldschmidt (25:24.0),
Justin Cascio (25:25.4),
Jack Loughery (25:30.0), and
Jack Czarnecki (25:34.1) comprising the First Team, followed by Second Team selections
Thomas Manson (25:36.6), Durham (25:41.1),
Dom Pena (25:49.8), and
Gwilym Horner (25:49.9). Honorable Mention went to
Tevin McLaren (26:16.4), McKee (26:17.9),
Tyler Husar (26:19.4),
Danny Gall (26:22.9), and
Brady Geisler (26:23.5).
