DALLAS, PA – The Wilkes University men's cross country team opened the 2023 season by placing ninth of 12 teams in a 4k race at the Misericordia Invitational Friday evening in Dallas, Pa.

Full Results

The Colonels, under the direction of first-year head coach Paul VanLuvender, scored 277 points from its five scoring runners which placed them ninth overall in a race that featured 120 total runners from 14 different institutions. Twelve schools had at least five runners to compete in the team event.

First-year runner Nathan Fletcher (Harrisburg, PA/Central Dauphin) made a strong collegiate debut for the Colonels as he placed 44th overall with a time of 14:23.40. Sophomore Caleb Edwards (Grahamsville, NY/Tri-Valley Central) was 51st with a time of 14:56.10. Third across the finish line for Wilkes was first year Justin Ashman (Kutztown, PA/Kutztown Area) who had a time of 15:24.40 which was good for 58th place.

Senior Dustin Edsall (Honesdale, PA/Honesdale) was 61st with a time of 15:51.60 and sophomore newcomer Addison Smargiassi (Bloomsburg, PA/Central Columbia) was 63rd with a time of 16:12.40. Rounding out the Blue and Gold participants was sophomore Isaiah Rogers-Keeney (Middletown, PA/Middletown Area) who was 65th overall with a time of 17:00.70.

Lebanon Valley College won the team event with a score of 57 points from its top five runners. The Flying Dutchmen's Matthew Santana placed first overall with a time of 12:46.70.

The Colonels will head back to Dallas, Pa. to compete at the Cougar Classic on Saturday, September 16.