WINTHROP, Minn. - The University of Northwestern Men's Cross Country team turned in a strong showing at the 2025 UMAC Championships, placing third overall with 84 points, just nine points shy of second place. It was a standout result for a group that began the season ranked fifth in the preseason poll and returned only four runners from last year's roster after graduating three of its top four runners.

Tyler Dueber (Bloomington, Minn./Homeschool) led the way for the Eagles, securing seventh place in 27:57.8 after a powerful finish down the final stretch. Right behind him, Owen Van De Riet (St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville) crossed the line with a time of 28:04.8 to take ninth, improving his time on this course by over a minute from a year ago. Caleb Phillips (Poplar, Wis./South Shore) continued the strong effort, claiming 14th at 28:49.6, while Peter Kephart (Lake Nebagamon, Wis./Northwestern) followed in 22nd, clocking 29:21.4.

Grayson Lecher (St. Paul, Minn./Concordia Academy) came through next turning in a time of 30:57.1, with Joshua Ringsmuth (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove) and Samuel Otis (Shoreview, Minn./Homeschool) close behind with times of 31:14.2 and 31:57.7. Cody Mercado (Arden Hills, Minn./Fourth Baptist Christian School) also contributed to the Eagles' team effort, finishing his race in 40:20.7.

The third-place finish caps off the regular season for UNW. The Men's team will race again in the NCCAA National Championships on November 14th. College of the Ozarks will be hosting the meet at Tom Rutledge Cross Country Course in Joplin, Missouri at 9:00 AM.