Liam MacKenzie – Treasurer/Sports Editor
Smithfield, RI – The sound of the footsteps hitting the course marked the beginning of a new season for Merrimack men’s cross country. The Warriors kicked off their 2026 campaign at the Shawn M. Nassaney Invitational on September 12 in Smithfield, Rhode Island, taking on Rhode Island, Stonehill and Bryant in a 5K race.
Warriors Finish Fourth – As the race continued, Merrimack battled through the course and looked to stay competitive against the three other teams in the field. When the final results were in, the Warriors finished fourth overall, giving the team a solid starting point to build from as the season progresses.
Dupill Leads Merrimack – Senior Aidan Dupill led the way for the Warriors, finishing sixth overall with a time of 15:28.2. Dupill narrowly missed out on a top-five finish but still placed himself inside the top 10, providing Merrimack with its strongest individual finish of the meet.
Moore Squeaks Inside the Top 15 – Junior Sean Moore was the next Warrior to cross the finish line, recording a time of 15:48.8. Moore finished 14th overall, squeaking inside the top 15 and giving Merrimack another runner toward the front of the field.
Rich Makes His Mark in the Top 20 – Sophomore Ben Rich continued Merrimack’s strong start near the front of the pack. Rich finished 17th overall with a time of 15:53.1, placing himself inside the top 20 and giving the Warriors three runners among the top 20 finishers.
A Foundation to Build On – With three runners finishing inside the top 20, Merrimack showed early signs of what it can bring to the course this season. The fourth-place finish gives the Warriors a starting point as they continue to work on their times and close the gaps between runners.
Looking Ahead – The season opener provided Merrimack with its first opportunity to test itself against outside competition and get back into the rhythm of racing. With the first meet now behind them, the Warriors will look to carry what they learned from the Nassaney Invitational into their upcoming races.
