SEGUIN, Texas – On an unusually warm and muggy morning that tested the 73-person field, Colorado College defended its men's cross country conference crown with a nine-point victory over Trinity University Saturday at the Seguin Outdoor Learning Center. Complete Results | Official Website | Facebook Photo Album | Interview with Colorado College Head Coach Alex Nichols | Interview with SCAC Runner of the Year James Settles | Interview with SCAC Newcomer of the Year Will Shuflit
The win marked the fifth consecutive conference title for the CC Tigers, the longest streak in the program's history since joining the conference prior to the 2006 season and the third-longest streak by one program in league history. Rhodes College won nine straight men's cross country championships from 1991 to 1999 and DePauw University posted a streak of seven consecutive championships from 2000-06.
After a four-point victory last year, head coach Alex Nichols watched five of his runners finish among the first eight to cross the line which helped his Colorado Tigers to a more comfortable nine-point margin at this year's meet, outpointing the Trinity Tigers, 24-33.
Colorado College was once again paced by senior James Settles, who earned Runner-of-the-Year honors for the second consecutive year after posting the with the the third-fastest time in championships history (25:01.0). The victory continued the program's dominance at posting the event's top medalist, with Settles becoming the 15th individual winner over the last 18 championships to win wearing CC black and gold.
Individually, Settles, who had placed third at conference as a freshman and runner-up as a sophomore, became just the second SCAC male to complete his career with four top three finishes at the conference championship meet. Thomas Pillow of Trinity accomplished the feat each year from 1996 to 1999. He is the program's fourth man to win multiple SCAC championship meets - joining Jackson Brainerd (2009, 2010 and 2011), Nick Hall (2012, 2013 and 2014) and Josh Fry (2020/21 and 2021).
In addition to Settles, six other CC men earned all-SCAC honors, including fellow senior Devlin Swanson who finished runner-up in 25:07.8. It was the third-straight all-conference performance for Swanson. First-year Will Shuflit, who finished sixth in 26:15.9, was the top finisher among first-year runners and was recognized as the league's Newcomer of the Year - the eighth CC runner to earn the award and second consecutive following teammate Joe Bullock from a year ago. Rounding out the CC all-conference contingent were seniors Brett Kitazono (seventh; 26:22.8) and Ayden Cherry (eighth; 26:29.2) and sophomores Dominic Schwein (11th; 26:49.8) and Rabbit Barnes (13th; 26:59.4). The all-SCAC honor is the third straight for Kitazono and second straight for Barnes.
The team title represents the 11th overall for the Colorado College men's cross country program (2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2019, 2020/21, 2021, 2022 and 2023), tying them with former SCAC member Rhodes College for the most men's cross country titles.
Leading the way for Trinity on Saturday were junior Will Salony, senior Diego Flores and fifth-year senior Ben Whittemore, who posted third, fourth and fifth place finishes, crossing the line at 26:01.5, 26:03.1 and 26:07.3, respectively, to earn All-SCAC recognition. The all-conference honor is the fourth straight for Whittemore, third straight for Salony and second straight for Flores. Sophomore Nathaniel Trevino (ninth; 26:31.5) and junior Eli Karg (12th; 26:52.3) also secured all-SCAC spots.
Behind a 10th-place finish by junior Jhancarlos Carpio and 14th-place finish by senior James Urbina, University of St. Thomas equaled the program's best finish since joining the conference prior to the 2019-20 academic year and came in third in the team standings with 93 points. The all-SCAC honor was the third straight for Carpio.
Rounding out the team standings, Southwestern University was fourth with 102 points and the host school Texas Lutheran University placed fifth with 139 points. University of Dallas was sixth in 179 points and Schreiner University was seventh with 197 points. Centenary College participated but did not have enough runners to score.
2023 Men's Cross Country - Team Standings
1. Colorado College - 24
2. Trinity University - 33
3. University of St. Thomas - 93
4. Southwestern University - 102
5. Texas Lutheran University - 135
6. University of Dallas - 179
7. Schreiner University - 197
8. Centenary College - DNS
2023 Men's Cross Country All-Conference Team
1. James Settles, Colorado College - 25:01.0
2. Devlin Swanson, Colorado College - 25:07.8
3. Will Salony, Trinity University - 26:01.5
4. Diego Flores, Trinity University - 26:03.1
5. Ben Whittemore, Trinity University - 26:07.3
6. Will Shuflit, Colorado College - 26:15.9
7. Brett Kitazono, Colorado College - 26:22.8
8, Ayden Cherry, Colorado College - 26:29.2
9. Nathaniel Trevino, Trinity University - 26:31.5
10. Jhancarlos Carpio, University of St. Thomas - 26:43.4
11. Dominic Schwein, Colorado College - 26:49.8
12. Eli Karg, Trinity University - 26:52.3
13. Rabbit Barnes, Colorado College - 26:59.4
14. James Urbina, University of St. Thomas - 27:02.0
