By Joseph Caruso
Sports Editor
The College’s men’s cross country team opened up its season with the annual Blue/Gold Invitational, dominating the 5000-meter race with the Lions logging 23 of the top 26 finishers.
Sophomore Moksh Patwari finished in first, setting a career best of 16:06.60, just edging out senior Brandon Chen by one second. The first seven finishers were all from the College, with 12 different Lions setting a personal best.
Patwari, a two-time All-County performer in high school, took home New Jersey Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week three times in his freshman season and has started his sophomore campaign with a bang. Chen is a highly decorated senior who was awarded TCNJ MVP last season for his impressive junior year that saw him recognized as a member of the All-NJAC first team.
Within a second of Chen, senior Kevin Matthews came in at 16:07.70, fifth-year Matt Granizo registered 16:07.80 and freshman Josh Santiago logged 16:08.10 in his first-ever race.
Matthews begins his senior year having had an extremely impressive collegiate career thus far, including back-to-back years making appearances on the All-Metro and All-NJAC teams, as well as being recognized academically with two consecutive appearances on the All-Academic team.
Following the first five were senior Evan Melito (16:15.60) and senior Anthony Guarino (16:15.90), who wrapped up the consecutive Lions before Brendan Blyth of Arcadia University finished eighth.
This is now the second year in a row that the College placed first in the annual Blue/Gold Invitational, and is looking forward to building on its impressive 2024 season, which saw it finish second in the NJAC Championships and advance to the NCAA Metro Region Championship, where it placed fifth out of 27 teams.
On the women’s side, the Lions also reigned victorious in their Blue/Gold Invitational, logging 35 points and besting Montclair State (56 points), and Arcadia University (75 points).
Despite not having a runner finish in the top four, the College had 10 of the top 20 finishers, which was enough to secure first place.
Freshman Krista Purnell finished fifth to lead the Lions, who also had the next seven finishers in a well-rounded performance for the College. Sophomore Ava Biemuller and senior Noelle Falzone were right behind her, tying for sixth, with a time of 12:29.30.
Also coming off a successful season, the College finished in the top two at the NJAC Championships and advanced all the way to the NCAA Championships after qualifying in the Metro Region Championship.
Coach Justin Lindsey, now entering his 13th season coaching cross country, hopes to build on his impressive resume that features a plethora of awards, including 27 different NJAC Coach of the Year titles, eight of those being for men’s cross country. He leads an experienced squad that includes eight seniors this season.
The Lions are back in action when they host the Herb Lorenz Invitational on Friday, Sept. 12.
