NEW YORK – Hunter was selected to capture their fifth straight CUNY Athletic Conference men's cross country championship as the league released its preseason coaches poll Thursday afternoon.

The Hawks earned six of the eight available first place votes and totaled 48 points to outdistance Brooklyn, which claimed the other two first place votes and collected 42 points.  Hunter won its fourth straight CUNYAC crown in 2024 with 38 points as it placed three runners in the top five.  

The Bulldogs finished third in last season's championship as it had four runners finish inside the top 10.  Baruch, which finished second in the 2024 championship, took third in the poll with 37 points.

CCNY (32) and John Jay (25) sit fourth and fifth in the poll, with Medgar Evers (14), Lehman (13) and York (12) rounding out the field.

One Runner to Watch from each team was also announced Thursday afternoon.

The 2025 CUNYAC Cross Country Championships are set once again take place at Van Cortlandt Park on Sunday, October 26, with the women's 6K race slated for a 9:30 am start.  The men's 8K championship is scheduled to begin at 10:30 am.

2025 CUNYAC Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll
(first place votes in parentheses)

1. Hunter (6) - 48
2. Brooklyn (2) - 42
3. Baruch - 37
4. CCNY - 32
5. John Jay - 25
6. Medgar Evers - 14
7. Lehman - 13
8. York - 12

CUNYAC Men's Cross Country
Runners to Watch

Jose Perez, Baruch - Perez, a three-time CUNYAC All-Star for the Bearcats, finished second at the 2024 CUNYAC Championship, coming in with an 8K time of 29:24.8.

Yasin Gordon, Brooklyn - A junior for the Bulldogs, Gordon placed seventh at last season's championship en route to All-Star honors, clocking a 31:21.9 time on the Van Cortlandt Park 8K course.

Trent Santoro, CCNY - As a rookie in 2024, Santoro earned a 10th place finish for the Beavers, posting an 8K time of 31:42.8 to be named a CUNYAC All-Star

Mateo Penafiel, Hunter - Penafiel earned individual champion honors at last season's championship, outdistancing Perez by 1:18 with an 8K time of 28:06.8.  The forner CUNYAC Rookie of the Year earned All-Star accolades for the third straight season.

Tony Echeverria, John Jay - Echeverria checked in with a 15th place finish at the CUNYAC Championship in 2024, posting a time of 32:40 to claim All-Star honors.

Oludemilade Lekan Michael, Lehman - Michael competed in seven events for the Lightning last season.  He placed 55th overall at the 2024 CUNYAC Championship.

Joshua Felix, Medgar Evers - Felix was the recipient of the 2024 CUNYAC Sportsmanship Award in men's cross country.  He finished 35th at the 2024 championship as a freshman, recording an 8K time of 37:10.

MIchael Zhang, York - A junior in 2025 in his third season with the Cardinals, Zhang placed 18th a season ago in the conference championship, clocking a time of 32:50.2.

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