On a crisp, sunny Saturday morning with very good conditions on the Ronald C. Hoffmann Cross Country Course, decorated senior runner Nick Lyndaker delivered something he hasn't done in his collegiate career – a first-place finish at the Hoffmann Invitational.

Lyndaker delivered a typical performance in front of a large contingent of Laurentians on the campus of St. Lawrence University, keeping with the front group for much of the race and surging ahead in the final 400 meters. He ultimately beat Roman Mironov of Queen's University (Canada) down the final straightaway of the Hoff to the line by five seconds with a time of 25:14.8. Lyndaker's previous top finish at the Hoffmann Invitational was third in 2023.

His victory led the St. Lawrence University men's cross country team to a third-place finish in the team standings, behind race champion Queen's. A formidable opponent, Queen's is the reigning U SPORTS cross country championship team. Middlebury placed second in the meet. The Panthers are currently ranked 29^th overall in the NCAA.

"What a great day for a home meet on the Hoff in front of an amazing Laurentian Weekend crowd!" said Saints head coach John Newman. "The team had a solid outing with a very exciting race from Nick for the individual win. He started moving around the six-kilometer and battled strong with Queen's number one runner Mironov. We are way ahead of where we were last year at this time and we are excited for what the season will look like in the coming weeks. Pat and Griffin ran in a the big lead group for most of the race along with Nick and they battled well for some quality team places.  Both Eliot and Serrano also raced very well to complete the team scoring."

Patrick Russell and Griffin Roeder joined Lyndaker in the top 15, placing ninth and 11th respectively. Russell crossed the line in at 25:45.1, while Roeder followed closely by setting a new PR at 25:49.5, giving the Saints a powerful senior trio up front.

Eliot O'Mahoney and Matthew Serrano rounded out the scoring five, placing 30th and 32nd overall. O'Mahoney ran a personal-best time of 26:43.8, and Serrano finished in 26:46.2.

Henry Hagen and Riley Cushman were the Saints' sixth and seventh runners, finishing 41st and 45th respectively.

The Saints will return to action Friday, October 3 at the Paul Short Run.

St. Lawrence Top Seven
1. Nick Lyndaker – 25:14.8
9. Patrick Russell – 25:45.1
11. Griffin Roeder – 25:49.5
30. Eliot O'Mahoney – 26:43.8
32. Matthew Serrano – 26:46.2
41. Henry Hagen – 27:01.4
45. Riley Cushman – 27:05.1