Fresh off an individual Liberty League championship from Nick Lyndaker and a second-place team conference finish, the St. Lawrence University men's cross country team enters the season with optimism and excitement. It comes as the program is set to host three marquee events on the Ronald C. Hoffmann Cross Country course this season.

The Saints welcome other regional cross country teams for the Hoffmann Invitational on Saturday, September 20, then the Liberty League championship comes to the same course on Saturday, November 1. Fifteen days later, the Mideast Region descends on the North Country for a race on the Hoffmann, as the NCAA Mideast Regional returns to Canton for the first time since 2023.

After the aforementioned second-place finish at the league championship race, the Saints return four of their top five runners.  This includes Lyndaker, Patrick Russell, Matt Serrano and Griffin Roeder. 

"The team made a lot of progress during the track season which has helped build momentum and excitement for the grass and trails this fall," said Saints head coach John Newman. "We are also very excited to be hosting both of these same championships at St. Lawrence and on the Ronald C. Hoffmann Championship Cross Country Course in November.  Racing at home on the 'Hoff' always seems to bring the best out of our Saints teams."

"Nick of course, is the reigning Liberty League Champion, setting both the Hoffmann Course and Liberty League Championship records last fall. He'll be looking for his fourth straight NCAA qualification this fall with the goal of having some teammates join him."

Roeder and Russell are at the front of that group. They're joined by sophomores Eliot O'Mahoney and Riley Cushman, who have made noticeable strides since their rookie campaigns according to their head coach, and are expected to play key roles in the team's success this fall.

The junior class adds further depth, with Henry Hagen, Peter Stubler, and Cole Jacobsen making up that group. Their presence in the mix gives the Saints a solid core of returners capable of pushing the pace and setting the tone in competition.

Newcomers Aidan Fay and Zebediah Whitlock, along with transfer Max Finley, have already begun making their mark, adding fresh energy and competitiveness to the roster.

The Saints first take the field this Saturday, gearing up for the Cardinal Classic, hosted by Plattsburgh State on Saturday morning.