PRESQUE ISLE, Maine - The University of Maine at Farmington men's cross country team was crowned the North Atlantic Conference Champions for the first time since 2003 this afternoon, dominating the field with five Beavers inside the top-eight. Senior Justin Castaldo (Scarborough, Maine) was named the NAC Runner of the Year after placing 1st overall at today's meet.

Castaldo has been outstanding all season for the Beavers, consistently being the first Beaver across the finish line. Today, Castaldo continued his storybook season by taking 1st place and being named the NAC Runner of the Year. Castaldo finished the 8k with a time of 27:37.4 and an average mile time of 5:33.4 to capture the individual title.

Luke Bliss (Underhill, Vermont), James Riley (Shrewsbury, Mass.) and Jimmy Reel (Nashua, N.H.) finished 4th-6th, all within four seconds of each other. Bliss finished in 4th overall with a time of 28:03.4 and an average mile time of 5:38.6. Riley finished 5th overall with a time of 28:07.5 and an average mile split of 5:39.4. Reel finished narrowly behind Riley, posting a time of 28:08.9 and an average mile split of 5:39.7. Bliss, Riley, and Reel all were named to the 1st Team All-Conference after their outstanding performances. 

First-year Ethan Linscott (Lakeville, Maine) saved his best race of the season for the biggest moment. Linscott raced to an 8k time of 28:19.6 to finish 8th overall. Linscott was the first first-year across the finish-line today and was named the NAC Rookie of the Year as a result. He also was named to the 1st Team All-Conference with 8th place finish.

Fellow first-year standout Andrew LaFlamme (Nashua, N.H.) finished 12th overall and was named to the 2nd Team All-Conference, finishing the 8k with a time of 28:46.0 and an average split of 5:47.2.

Junior Connor Freeman (Bath, Maine) also finished inside the top-14 and was named to the 2nd Team All-Conference after his 14th place finish. Freeman raced to a time of 29:17.8.

Joseph Burgess (Gray, Maine) came in 54th place, posting a time of 33:22.0.

The Beavers first five finishers, Castaldo, Bliss, Riley, Reel, and Linscott had a total time of 2:20.16 and an average time of 28:03, accumulating 24 points to walk away with the championship trophy.

UP NEXT

The Beavers will compete in the NCAA Division III East Regionals on November 11th.