ST. ALBANS, Vt. – The UMass Lowell men's cross country team kicked off the 2025 season Saturday afternoon at the Vermont Invitational at Hard'Ack Recreation Area in St. Albans, Vt.
Freshman William Conklin started off the year in a big way, crossing the finish line in second place with a 20:24.70 mark. Junior Nicolas Uzzo (East Bridgewater, Mass.) joined him in the top 10, finishing in ninth place with a time of 21:01.00.

"Overall a good opener," said Head Coach Gary Gardner. "It was a quick turnaround from being in the Berkshires on Thursday to racing today. The men ran solid up and down. Will Conklin looked confortable the entire race. Nick, Dean, Dan and Sam had really good openers."

Junior Samuel Denis (Randolph, Mass.) was just behind in 11^th place, earning a 21:07.20 mark, while senior Daniel Burns (Billerica, Mass.) was not far back in 16^th with a time of 21:24.70. Junior Dean Allen (Chelmsford, Mass.) claimed 21^st place with a 21:30.10 mark, before freshman Jackson Beauparlant (21:54.30) and sophomore Sean Kerin (Walpole, Mass.) (22:05.00) finished in 26^th and 30^th place, respectively.

Freshmen Patrick Croughwell (22:13.20), Jonathan Rooney (22:13.20) and Christopher Guerin (22:16.10) rounded off the River Hawk runners consecutively in 32^nd, 33^rd and 34^th place, respectively.

The team will now gear up for next Saturday's Suffolk Short Course Classic on September 6.