The TCNJ men’s cross country team began its 2025 season with a strong performance at the Blue/Gold Invitational held in Ewing, New Jersey. Moksh Patwari led the team, finishing first in the 5k race with a personal-best time of 16:06.60, just one second ahead of teammate Brandon Chen.
Following closely behind were Kevin Matthews (16:07.70), Matt Granizo (16:07.80), and Josh Santiago (16:08.10), all within half a second of Chen’s time. Evan Melito and Anthony Guarino completed the top seven for TCNJ, both achieving new personal bests.
William O’Donovan finished ninth in his first collegiate race with a time of 16:19.50, while Phil Pace rounded out the top ten at 16:23.40. Other notable performances included Simon Bernhardt, Ryan Segalla, and Jack Segalla, who placed 11th through 13th respectively, each finishing within about a second of one another. Nate Kidwell also set a personal record at 16:45.70.
The Lions secured 13 of the top 14 spots and had 20 runners among the top 23 finishers during the event on their home Green Lane course.
The team will return to competition at home for the Herb Lorenz Invitational on Friday, September 12.
“Patwari crossed the line in a personal-best 16:06.60 across the 5k course, nudging out Chen by exactly one second; Kevin Matthews (16:07.70), Matt Granizo (16:07.80), and Josh Santiago (16:08.10) were all within half a second of Chen’s runner-up mark.”
“Evan Melito (16:15.60) and Anthony Guarino (16:15.90) rounded out the unbroken line of top-7 runners for the pride, both posting a new personal best in the process.”
“William O’Donovan placed ninth in his collegiate debut with a time of 16:19.50, while Phil Pace (16:23.40) completed the top-10.”
“Simon Bernhardt (16:38.10), Ryan Segalla (16:38.30), and Jack Segalla (16:39.30) were all within about a second of each other in 11th through 13th, respectively, while Nate Kidwell joined those three with a PR of his own at 16:45.70.”
The next meet for TCNJ is scheduled for September 12.
