BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The American University cross country team competed at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional on Friday (Nov. 14), completing the 2025 cross country season.
The women started the day with a 20th-place finish, a seven-place improvement from last year. Freshman
Shealyn Brochu completed a full-season streak of leading the squad, placing 63rd in 21:25.6 for 6k. Seniors
Annie Ripol (120th) and
Kate Riley (129th) both capped off their college cross country careers with PRs, with Ripol running 22:23.5 and Riley running 22:32.5. Sophomore
Zoe Rector followed close behind in 137th, running 22:41.4. Freshman
Lydia Drago completed the scoring, placing 169th in 23:15.7.
The men followed, placing 17th in the 10k race. Senior
Carver Morgan bookended the season leading the team, placing 62nd in a PR of 31:17.9. Seniors
Kaden Kluth (91st) and
Cooper Michaud (106th) followed, running 31:45.0 and 32:00.6, respectively. Sophomore
Noah Smith ran 32:06.1 to place 110th, and sophomore
Zack Zerbe rounded out the scoring in a 10k debut of 32:14.8.
COACHES' CORNER
"Unfortunately we didn't have the day we were looking for today at regionals for the men," said head coach
Sean Graham. "Across the board we looked a little flat and weren't able to compete at the same level that we had up to and through the Patriot League Championships.
"
Carver Morgan had a strong performance for us as our top finisher, running well over a minute faster on this course than the last time he ran it two years ago, a very nice progression. After that were Kaden and Cooper rounding out our top three.
"I think the team was challenged a bit by the emphasis and success we put on — and found — at the Patriot League Championships, then working to keep that momentum going for another two weeks, and staring down a 10k this time. It's something we'll work on in the coming years.
"All in all, though, it's been a great season for the Eagle men. I'm very proud of the four senior men, Kaden, Carver, Cooper, and Jack, for their consistency and leadership this year. We set some challenging goals for the year and accomplished nearly all of them due in large part to their hard work.
"For most we'll now take a little break and then begin to train for another round of very exciting indoor and outdoor track seasons."
"This race caps off what was a very solid cross country campaign," said associate head coach
Zach Prescott. "This year, the team was impacted heavily by a young group of freshmen, led all the way
— literally in every race including this one
— by Shealyn. Their ability to withstand the challenges of the year indicates a positive direction for the team moving forward.
"I would like to take this chance, however, to thank the other end of our team. The class of 2026 oversaw truly transformational change within the program
— in results but also in daily culture, program work ethic, and joy at practice each day. I am incredibly proud of not just Kate and Annie, who were rewarded with PBs in their final cross race in the uniform today, but of Grace, Hannah, Skyler, and Sophia. All six of these women were tasked four years ago with leaving the program better than they found it, and they did so with tenacity, patience, and grace. In a year that saw a talented group of youngsters, they balanced leading that group culturally while also rising to the occasion on the course each week. I am so proud of the people they have become and the program they have built together.
"We are ready for rest, but eager to continue this team's progress on the track!"
View the full results
here.
Next Up
A small group of Eagles will begin the indoor track season on December 6 at the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener hosted by Boston University.
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WOMEN'S RESULTS (20/30)
63.
Shealyn Brochu, 21:25.6
120.
Annie Ripol, 22:23.5 (PR)
129.
Kate Riley, 22:32.5 (PR)
137.
Zoe Rector, 22:41.4
169.
Lydia Drago, 23:15.7
177.
Estella Miller, 23:35.4
MEN'S RESULTS (17/28)
62.
Carver Morgan, 31:17.9 (PR)
91.
Kaden Kluth, 31:45.0
106.
Cooper Michaud, 32:00.6
110.
Noah Smith, 32:06.1
119.
Zack Zerbe, 32:14.8
143.
Ty Parker, 32:47.6
155.
Emmett Engelhardt, 33:14.5
