Kenosha, Wis. – The University of Charleston men's cross-country team capped off a historic season with a strong showing on the national stage, placing 24th at the NCAA Division II Championships on the legendary Wayne E. Dannehl National Cross Country Course.
The Basics:
Location: Kenosha, WI (Wayne E. Dannehl National Cross Country Course)
Score: M–24th 582 points (out of 34 teams)
How it Happened:
After winning the Mountain East Conference Championship and securing an automatic qualifier with a second-place finish at the Atlantic Region Championship, the Golden Eagles made the trip north to Wisconsin ready to compete among the nation's best. With temperatures just under 50 degrees and clear skies overhead, conditions were ideal for championship racing.
Charleston was once again led by Hugo Hewitt, who closed out his standout season with an 87th-place finish in 31:28. Hewitt has been UC's front runner all fall and continued to set the tone on the biggest stage in Division II cross country. Behind him, mid-season transfer Thomas Crockett delivered another dependable performance, placing 103rd in 31:41 and solidifying his role as a major contributor to Charleston's postseason run.
One of the biggest highlights of the day came from junior Jules Geffroy-Remot, who executed one of the most impressive moves in the field. After sitting deep through the early stages, Geffroy-Remot surged over the final 8 kilometers, moving up an incredible 61 spots to finish 133rd in 32:04.
Freshman Harry Witt followed as UC's fourth runner, placing 140th in 32:08 despite battling through a painful leg issue. Witt continued to prove his toughness and reliability in his first collegiate 10K championship race. Rounding out the scoring for Charleston was Caleb Gilbert, who crossed in 32:48 for 204th place. Gilbert once again displayed the grit that helped power UC through conference, regionals, and now nationals.
As a group, the Golden Eagles proved they belong among the best programs in the country. Their 24th-place finish adds another milestone to a season defined by growth, consistency, and elite-level racing.
Up Next:
The Golden Eagles will now turn their attention toward the track season as they carry their momentum and depth into the winter and spring.
