HAVERFORD, Pa. – The Haverford men's cross country team placed third overall at the Haverford Invitational on Friday, hosted on the Fran Rizzo Cross Country Course at Haverford College. In total, 69 runners competed on a beautiful late-October afternoon on campus as Haverford was the top Division III program in the event. 

The Fords were led by Cole Branstrom, who continued his impressive season with a 10th-place finish in 20:48.0, closing the final two miles in a blistering 10:37.9. Will Tew followed close behind in 14th at 21:01.8, with Wade Garoutte (16th, 21:07.1) and Joseph DeRosa (17th, 21:08.3) finishing within seconds of one another to give Haverford four runners inside the top 20.

Oliver Barr (21st, 21:22.6) and Gopal Patel (22nd, 21:28.3) provided additional depth, while Nicky Elias-Gillette (26th, 21:59.3) and Jack McCurry (27th, 22:00.7) rounded out a strong pack performance that kept the Fords in contention near the front of the field.

Deven Abrams (33rd, 22:34.2), Gabriel Bernstein (35th, 22:39.9), and Wyatt Grace (36th, 22:43.6) also turned in solid efforts, finishing among the top 40 overall.

Cullen Worth (40th, 22:58.1), Will Gray (44th, 23:26.1), Josue Laurore (50th, 24:09.5), Garrett Miyagawa (56th, 25:14.8), and Ben Aaron (57th, 25:44.7) all delivered determined performances to complete the Fords' contingent.

Lehigh claimed the team title with 33 points, edging out Saint Joseph's (39 points) as the Division I programs combined to place six runners in the top 10. Noah Deckert of Saint Joseph's was the only runner to break the 20-minute barrier, winning the individual title in 19:58.2. Chase Ely of Williamson was a standout in fourth place overall (20:09.2).

Haverford's top 12 runners will now turn their focus to the postseason, as the 2025 Centennial Conference Championships are scheduled for Saturday, November 1, at Gettysburg College. The men's 8K championship race begins at 11 a.m., followed by the women's race at 12 p.m.