Season Review: Men's Cross Country Makes 27th Straight Nationals Appearance

Season Review: Men's Cross Country Makes 27th Straight Nationals Appearance

Season Highlights: Haverford started the season strong at its annual Main Line Invitational on the Alumni Cross Country Course. Senior co-captain Sam McCalpin led the field of Fords as Haverford finished second to Division I Penn (Sept. 20). At the Dan Talbot Open in Media the following week, junior Jack Hunter was the top finisher overall as Haverford paced the field at the Bryn Mawr-hosted event (Sept. 27). Haverford then finished eighth in a loaded field at the Paul Short Run Brown Race, ahead of regionally-ranked Division I squads George Washington and Bucknell (Oct. 5). Ryan Kredell was the top Haverford finisher at the Lehigh-hosted meet, crossing in 36th place overall. The Fords then pushed on into the Inter-Regional Border Battle at Rowan, defeating a pair of nationally ranked sides in Dickinson and NYU to take fourth overall (Oct. 19). Haverford finished second at the Centennial Conference Championships, with Kredell speeding to a Rookie of the Year finish while Sam McCalpin was right behind the first year to earn a second-team All-Centennial nod (Nov. 2). The Fords then took a third place finish at the NCAA Regional, as four runners earned All-Region honors (Nov. 16). Haverford turned around and competed just six days after taking an at-large berth to the NCAA Championships, making a 27th straight appearance at the national meet with a 27th place finish (Nov. 23). 

Awards:

Notes: Kredell finished 45th overall at the national championship, marking the highest finish for a Haverford rookie at the NCAA meet since USTFCCCA Hall of Famer Karl Paranya '97 ran to a 39th place finish during the 1993 season … Kredell's finish was the third-highest all-time by a Haverford rookie … Sam McCalpin became the third Haverford Men's Cross Country student-athlete to be named the Centennial Conference Scholar Athlete of the Year … Kredell earned Centennial Conference Rookie of the Year, marking the second consecutive season that a runner from Haverford has picked up that award, joining teammate Jamie Moreland.

Looking Ahead: Haverford looks to be in an extremely strong position to ascend back into contention for a national podium spot, with Kredell headlining a strong first-year class that made an impact right away in 2019. Aaron Bratt also made his debut on the national stage in his first season, as the first year contingent hopes to compliment a strong sophomore class that includes two-time nationals participant Peter Buckley and Max Brelig. Haverford will hope to take yet another step forward in 2020, with the national championship slated for Terre Haute, Ind.