PITMAN, NJ – The conference is looking forward to another competitive season of cross country, as the season kicked off Friday afternoon.
Seven of the eight conference teams opened this weekend, including Kean, New Paltz, Ramapo, Rowan, Rutgers-Camden, Rutgers-Newark, and Stockton. TCNJ kicks off its season on Friday, Sept. 11.
The NJAC Championship is set for Saturday, Oct. 31 at TCNJ's Green Lane course, with the men's 8K race slated for 11:15 a.m., following the women's 6K that begins at 10:30 a.m. The NCAA Metro Regional Championship follows on Nov. 14 in Bethlehem, PA, at Lehigh, while New Paltz will compete the same day in the Mideast Regional in Manchester, CT. The NCAA Championship is slated for Nov. 21 at the Carleton College Bill Huyck Championship Cross Country Course in Northfield, MN.
Two major regular season meets to keep an eye on are the Paul Short Run at Lehigh on Friday, Oct. 2 and the Border Battle hosted by Rowan in Logan Township on Saturday, Oct. 17, with the majority of conference teams getting a look at each other prior to the NJAC Championship. TCNJ will also compete in the Connecticut College Invitational on Oct. 17, which features a competitive ranked field of teams.
KEAN
Kean finished fifth at last year's NJAC Championship as a team and returns four of its five scorers from a season ago. Senior Eldon Reynoso led the way for the Cougars, finishing 31st overall and capping his cross country season with a personal record at regionals — he also placed sixth in the 5K at the ECAC Outdoor Championship this past spring. Jonathan Rivera, the team's second finisher a year ago (46th overall), returns to cross country for the first time since 2024, while Angel Alarcon, the third finisher, also closed last season with a PR at regionals. Andrew Martinez rounds out the returning group.
Key Meets to Watch: NJIT Invitational
Head Coach Danielle Todman: "We are in the season of preparation. Season of preparing the promise that is for them and in them! This season is developing and sharpening them to carry the promise!"
NEW PALTZ
New Paltz enters its first season in the NJAC after finishing third of 12 teams at last year's SUNYAC Championship and placing in the top half of the Mideast Regional. Evan Miller, a senior and 2025 Second Team All-SUNYAC selection, led the way with a sixth-place finish at the SUNYAC meet, while fellow senior Anthony Willis placed 31st. The Hawks also add Luca Maneri, a graduate transfer from Division I Stony Brook, to the roster.
Newcomers to Watch: Luca Maneri (GR; Esopus, NY/Kingston/Stony Brook)
Key Meets to Watch: Paul Short Run, Rowan Border Battle
Head Coach Thomas Hartnett: "We are a senior heavy squad this year, and I'm excited to see how they do come championship season."
RAMAPO
Ramapo finished fourth as a team at last year's NJAC Championship and enters 2026 ranked fifth in the Metro Region preseason poll. The Roadrunners return four of last year's five scoring runners, led by Julian Mignone, who finished 19th overall as the team's top returner. Brandon Meneses (26th overall), Matthew Reed (32nd overall) and Brian Metz (35th overall) round out a group looking to build on last year's finish after graduating two-time All-Conference runner Ryan Pena.
Key Meets to Watch: Paul Short Run, Rowan Border Battle
Head Coach Justina Cassavell: "We are looking to improve as the season progresses and have a solid pack of runners."
ROWAN
Rowan enters the season ranked third in the Metro Region preseason poll after finishing as NJAC runner-up team a year ago. The Profs graduate three-time All-Conference runner and 2025 NJAC runner-up Matthew Conway, but return two-time First Team All-Conference and All-Metro Region senior Colin Patterson, who finished fourth overall at last year's NJAC meet. Senior Aidan Brad, the team's fifth scorer a year ago who finished 20th overall, also returns to lead the group.
Newcomers to Watch: Ty Blackman (SO; Pitman, NJ/Glassboro/Rider), Rowan Horner (JR; Portland, OR/Franklin)
Key Meets to Watch: Paul Short Run, Rowan Border Battle
Head Coach Dustin Dimit: "We are excited for the season. Our guys put in great work in the summer and we can't wait to see how this large young group develops as we try to retake the NJAC title."
RUTGERS-CAMDEN
Rutgers-Camden returns Dylan Davies, the team's third finisher as a rookie last year, who capped his first cross country season with a personal record at regionals, shaving over a minute off his time. The Scarlet Raptors also welcome back Josiah Saint Elien, who last competed at the Paul Short Run before missing the remainder of the 2025 cross country season and all of track. Seniors Ajani Pinkett and Angel Chaj add veteran leadership to a young group that also brings in a mix of newcomers and transfers.
Newcomers to Watch: Curtis Stokes (Woodbury, NJ/Woodbury), Yasir Logan (Camden, NJ/Eastside)
Key Meets to Watch: Paul Short Run, Rowan Border Battle
Head Coach Jill Chestnut: "The men's cross country team is chock full of talented freshman and transfers. Seniors Ajani Pinkett and Angel Chaj are excited to lead the young pack with Dylan Davies and Josiah Saint Elien as our front runners."
RUTGERS-NEWARK
Rutgers-Newark returns its top three finishers from last year's NJAC Championship meet. Danny Cortez led the Scarlet Raiders a year ago and ran a personal record at the Border Battle last season, followed by Carlos Delgado, who backed that up with a recent 10K PR at the NJAC Outdoor Championship this past spring, and Kyle Rolffot, who closed his rookie cross country campaign with a PR at regionals. The trio gives the program a solid, improving core to build around this fall.
Newcomers to Watch: Ayaan Amin (FR; Iselin, NJ/John F. Kennedy)
Key Meets to Watch: Jersey Pines Challenge (Sept. 4), ECAC Championship (Nov. 7)
Head Coach Joel Williams: "We have a core group that should be able to run together. Our goal is to keep a close spread throughout each race this season."
STOCKTON
Stockton enters the season ranked seventh in the Metro Region preseason poll after finishing third as a team at last year's NJAC Championship. Pat Storti, the team's fifth scorer at last year's NJACs (33rd overall), and Dan Mine, a top-40 finisher, lead the returning group, while Owen Bergen, who didn't compete at last year's NJAC meet, adds depth. The Ospreys also bring in a pair of Division I transfers to bolster the roster.
Newcomers to Watch: James Clauson (FR; Haddon Township, NJ/Haddon Township), James Torres (SO; Toms River, NJ/Manchester Township/Wagner), Sam Szczepanski (SO; Chester, NJ/West Morris Mendham/Fairleigh Dickinson)
Key Meets to Watch: Paul Short Run (Oct. 1), Rowan Border Battle (Oct. 17)
Head Coach Jayson Resch: "I am very optimistic about this group and look forward to seeing how they develop this season. The team has been very connected during the preseason and working well together. I believe they will continue to improve throughout the season."
TCNJ
TCNJ enters 2026 as the defending NJAC and Metro Region champion after a season in which all seven Lions runners finished in All-Conference status, with all five scorers earning First Team honors. TCNJ graduates three-time All-Conference honoree and 2025 NJAC Runner of the Year Brandon Chen, along with three-time All-Conference selection Kevin Matthews, but returns a deep and decorated group. Joshua Santiago, a 2025 Second Team All-Conference pick and NJAC Rookie of the Year, finished 10th overall a year ago, while First Team All-Conference selections Phil Pace (2024 NJAC Rookie of the Year, 6th overall) and Moksh Patwari (7th overall) return alongside senior Sean Haggerty, who placed 17th overall.
Newcomers to Watch: Jason Kasoff (FR; Old Bridge, NJ/Old Bridge), Ryan McCann (FR; Galloway, NJ/Cedar Creek)
Key Meets to Watch: Paul Short Run, Connecticut College Invite
Head Coach Justin Lindsey: "We look to defend the NJAC and NCAA Metro region title."