New Britain, CT -- The NEC's all-time winningest men's cross country program continued its reign of dominance in commanding fashion.
Led by NEC individual champion and Outstanding Performer Jacob Ireland (East Hampton, CT/East Hampton?), Central Connecticut defended its NEC title and added to its own record with a 12th conference championship. The Blue Devils took the top four spots in the race and finished with a near-perfect 16 points.
The Blue Devils, who enjoyed a record nine-year NEC reign from 2009-17, have since won the crown in 2021, 2023 and 2024.
Wagner was the runner-up with 51 points, while Stonehill took third with 78 points. Le Moyne recorded 138 points on its way to a fourth place finish.
The meet was contested on CCSU's home course at Stanley Quarter Park in New Britain, CT.
CCSU executed a near-perfect run, coming seconds away from a sweep of the top five spots. The 16 points were the third-best mark in meet history. CCSU (2014) and FDU (1991) both enjoyed 15-point sweeps in their championship wins.
Ireland, a senior, crossed the finish line in 25:34.1, three seconds ahead of the 82-runner field. It was his third All-NEC performance, having finished 12th in 2021 and seventh in 2022 before missing last year's race. He holds the distinction of being the ninth runner in CCSU's storied NEC men's cross country history to claim the individual title.
Ireland's teammate, Brendan Mellitt (Cheshire, CT/Conn College) followed in second place, clocking in at 25:37.6. Fellow Blue Devils James Sullivan (Redding, CT/Immaculate) took third in 25:52.2 and Mark Rodriguez (Cromwell, CT/Cromwel) took fourth, crossing the line in 25:59.1. Aidan Budge (Newton, CT/Newton) placed sixth, covering the course in 26:09.8.
Stonehilll's Dylan Brilliant (Plymouth, MA/Plymouth South) broke up the CCSU sweep, pacing the Skyhawks with a fifth place individual finish, clocking a time of 26:00.10.
Wagner's Justin Morris (Staten Island, NY/St. Peter's Boys) placed seventh in 26:12.5 and was one of five Wagner runners in the top-15.
Michael Kraszewski (East Haddam, CT/Hale Ray) was the top finisher of all first-year runners to capture NEC Freshman of the Year honors. His time of 26:36.30 was good for a individual tenth place finish.
Fourth place Le Moyne was led by Jack Gibson (Ilion, NY/Central Valley Academy) who finished fifteenth, navigating the course in 26:53.70.
CCSU accounted for eight of the 14 All-Conference honorees, tyng its own meet record set in 2013.
2024 NEC Men's Cross Country Final Results
1. CCSU - 16
2. Wagner - 51
3. Stonehill - 78
4. Le Moyne - 138
5. LIU - 152
6. FDU - 157
7. Saint Francis U - 178
8. Mercyhurst - 192
9. Chicago State - 287
2024 NEC Men's Cross Country All-Conference Team
NEC Outstanding Performer: Jacob Ireland, CCSU
NEC Freshman of the Year: Michael Kraszewski, CCSU