NEWVILLE, Pa. – The No. 25-ranked Loras College men's cross country team closed out its 2023 season on Saturday morning as the Duhawks competed at the NCAA Division III Cross Country National Championships for the third-straight year, finishing this year's national meet in 29^th.

"It wasn't the result we wanted, but I'm proud of our guys for going for it and putting themselves in it," said head coach Bob Schultz. "We just ran out of gas in the last 2K, and it cost us some spots. With just one senior in the lineup, the future is very bright."

Loras was led by Julian Watson, who finished the race 74^th with a time of 25:34.0. The junior out of Darien, Ill. hit the first mile marker in 56^th before making leap up 16 spots by the second mile marker. After moving up three more spots by the 5K marker, he ultimately settled into his finishing place over the final two kilometers of the race.

Ryan Harvey took 128^th, finishing at 25:53.5. The junior got up to as high as 44^th after the two mile marker before the finish at the race. Jacob Belha closed out the race in 153^rd at a time of 26:19.7, while Jack Beehler finished 223^rd at 26.29.5. Eric Rutherford (262^nd – 26:52.7), Landis Musser (272^nd – 27:02.4), and Carlo Dannenfelser (279^th – 27:15.1) rounded out Duhawks in the 8K race.

For Schultz, Saturday's meet signified the end of a 32-year career as a cross country coach. "I thank God for the opportunity to be able to do what I do for a living the past 32 years, including 22 of them at Loras College," said Schultz. "I want to thank everyone who ran for me for trusting me with their collegiate cross country experience. Beyond a doubt, my highlight was coaching my boys, Joey and Justin, as Duhawks. That's every dad's dream. It's been a very fun ride and I'm looking forward to helping out with the program in the future on a volunteer basis."

NCAA National Championships
Newville, Pa. / Big Spring High School
29^th / 32 Teams – 675

FINISH  NAME                               TIME
74^th        Julian Watson                 25:34.0
128^th     Ryan Harvey                     25:53.5
201^st      Jacob Belha                     26:19.7
223^rd     Jack Beehler                    26:29.5
262^nd     Eric Rutherford               26:52.7
272^nd     Landis Musser                 27:02.4
279^th     Carlo Dannenfelser         27:15.1