Hens Wrap Up Remarkable Season at NIRCA Nationals

November 8, 2025December 4, 2025nik

UD Club XCTF closed out their incredible 2025 season on November 8th at the NIRCA National Championships, held at the challenging and hilly Hershey Parkview XC Course in Hershey, PA. Despite the demanding course conditions and tough competition, the Blue Hens capped their year with grit, energy, and strong performances across every race.

The hens’ day kicked off with the women’s Junior/Senior/Grad 6k. Junior Clara Havrilla led Delaware with a steady 31:51 on the tough Hershey course and Junior Anna Callaghan wrapped up her season with a 36:35.

The upperclassmen men were up next and demonstrated experience and resilience across the hills of Hershey. Senior Jack Pelczar led the squad with a strong 31:18, followed by junior Sean Simonini (32:12) and senior Josh Pawlik (32:14), who finished just seconds apart. Junior Ryan Healy came through next in 32:19, with senior Evan Pawlik (32:31) and Juniors Nik Anna (33:57) and Ethan Storm (34:07) rounding out the top seven.

Up next was the women’s championship, which delivered strong collective performances to close out the season. Freshman standout Taylore Dall led the Hens with a strong time of 26:15, continuing her breakout debut season. Junior Kate Kershaw followed in 26:33, and freshman Scarlett Guenin closed just behind with 26:38. Senior Samantha Paez (27:24) and junior Natalie Greger (27:38) provided essential depth, both securing strong mid-pack finishes in the national field. Sophomore Zoe Morawski (29:01) and Junior Ariana D (31:42) finished out the top seven.

Over in the men’s championship 8k, the team put on a determined performance against one of the deepest fields of the year. Senior Evan Diefenbeck again led the Blue Hens with a solid 28:12, continuing his season-long leadership. Junior Brady Sheaffer followed with a competitive 28:49, while sophomore Sebastiano Vandoni crossed in 29:01 and Senior Dave Kelly crossed in 29:26. Freshman Max Barlow finished his first collegiate Nationals in 30:56, and sophomore Michael Colavito rounded out the top seven in 31:34.

Women’s Freshman/Sophomore 6k

In the freshman/Sophomore 6k, the women battled through the rolling terrain to produce a solid set of finishes. Freshman Camille Rizzo led the group with a strong 29:59. Right behind her followed freshman Samantha Yorty, clocking a 30:45. Freshman Emily Williams followed in 33:01, while freshmen Greta Bretz and Elizabeth Kiernan worked together throughout the race to finish just six seconds apart in 34:43 and 34:49. Freshman Evangeline Cochran rounded out the squad with a determined 43:14 in her first Nationals appearance.

Delaware’s underclassmen men’s squad wrapped up the meet and showed impressive strength, putting together a tight pack on the challenging course. Sophomore Patrick Lant led the way in 31:48, followed closely by sophomore Giovanni Palermo with a 32:01. Freshman Andrew Koziel crossed next in 33:14, with sophomore Aiden Loy (33:30) and freshman Gregory Siegel (34:33) rounding out the top five. Freshmen Gavin Cassidy (34:36) and Bennett Pommerening (34:58) completed the group with strong efforts in their Nationals debuts.

Hens Deliever Strong Performances at NIRCA Regionals

October 25, 2025December 4, 2025nik

UD Club XCTF continued their successful season in Virginia at NIRCA Regionals, where both men’s and women’s teams continued to deliver standout performances against a hilly course and some of their toughest competition yet. Together, both teams put together several top 25 placements and pr’s across the board.

On the men’s side in the 8k, senior Evan Diefenbeck led the team once again, placing twelfth overall in a strong time of 26:00. Close behind, senior Brady Sheaffer came in nineteenth place with a solid 26:19. Sophomore Michael Colavito followed with a 26:39, securing twenty-fifth overall, while senior Dave Kelly crossed shortly after in 26:51. Adding depth to the scoring group, sophomore Sebastiano Vandoni clocked a 27:07, with freshmen Max Barlow (28:09) and Carlos Lobo (28:29) rounding out the top seven, continuing strong initial seasons. The men’s squad showcased depth, toughness, and strong momentum heading into the upcoming NIRCA Nationals.

Over in the women’s race in the 6k, freshman Hardin Edwards continued her standout first season, placing thirteenth overall with a time of 23:29. Freshman Scarlett Guenin followed with a 24:48, and freshman Meghan Metz delivered another strong performance in 25:30. Also contributing to the scoring efforts were freshmen Taylore Dall (25:49) and junior Kate Kershaw (25:58) with juniors Samantha Paez (26:31) and Natalie Greger (26:43) to round out the top seven. The women once again demonstrated consistency and depth, closing out Regionals with strong performances across the team.

The team will continue to put in the work and look forward to NIRCA Nationals in the coming weeks.

Scarlett Guenin rounding the final turn!

Hens Exceed Expectations at NJIT Invitational

October 11, 2025December 4, 2025nik

UD Club XCTF carried their momentum into another successful weekend despite incliment weather conditions at the NJIT Invitational, held at Branch Brook Park in Newark, NJ. Both teams put together outstanding performances, with many pr’s, and men’s team taking first overall and women’s squad once again earning second overall in the open 8k and 5k races.

On the men’s side in the 8k, senior Evan Diefenbeck continued his dominant season, placing third overall with a strong time of 25:40. Close behind, senior Brady Shaeffer secured fifth place in 25:48, followed by senior Dave Kelly, who earned tenth in 26:32. Sophomores Michael Colavito and Sebastiano Vandoni came through next finishing in 26:36 and 26:56, respectively. Freshman Max Barlow clocked 28:37, with sophomore Patch Lant just behind in 28:42, rounding out the top seven. Outside of the top seven we had stellar performances all around with honorable mentions to Josh Pawlik, Jack Pelczar, Evan Pawlik, Giovanni Palermo, and Ryan Healy all finishing under the 30 minute barrier helping the men’s team post another impressive collective performance.

On the women’s side in the 5k, junior Kate Kershaw led the charge with a standout third place finish and all time PR in 19:35. Freshman Meghan Metz continued her breakout season, placing fifth in 19:58, while freshman Taylore Dall followed close behind, earning eighth in 20:30. Junior Natalie Greger and sophomore Zoe Morawski followed behind with times of 21:12 and 21:38, respectively. Rounding out the top seven was junior Samantha Paez (21:58) and freshman Juliana Smith (22:08), both contributing to the women’s strong team effort and continued success on the season.

Kate Kershaw and Taylore Dall Going Strong!

Blue Hens Stand Out at the Old Bay Invitational

September 27, 2025December 4, 2025nik

UD Club XCTF continued their strong 2025 season with another impressive showing at the Old Bay Invitational, held at Terrapin Nature Park on September 27th. Both the men’s and women’s teams delivered outstanding performances, each securing second place overall against competitive fields.

On the men’s side, senior Evan Diefenbeck led the charge once again, earning first place overall with a standout time of 25:53. Following closely behind, senior Brady Shaeffer claimed fourth place in 26:35, continuing his strong start to the season. Senior Dave Kelly and sophomore Sebastiano Vandoni kept the momentum going, finishing in 27:50 and 28:00 respectively. While not far behind, sophomore Michael Colavito (28:09), freshmen Max Barlow (29:42) and senior Jack Pelczar (29:54) rounded out the top seven, contributing valuable points to the team’s impressive second-place finish.

On the women’s side, freshman Hardin Edwards once again led the way, placing fourth overall with a time of 23:38. Right behind her, freshman Taylore Dall earned eighth place in 24:33, followed closely by junior Claire Merchant, who secured ninth in 24:41. Adding to the team’s depth, junior Kate Kershaw (25:28), freshman Meghan Metz, and Scarlett Guenin close behind in 25:47 and 26:00 respectivly. And rounding out the top scorers, senior Samantha Paez finished in 27:09, helping the women’s team capture a strong second-place finish overall.

Evan Diefenbeck Crossing the Finish for the Win!

Men’s Team Takes Second Place; Women’s Team Secures Third at Delaware Invitational

September 19, 2025December 4, 2025nik

UD Club XCTF began their official 2025 cross-country season on home turf in the Delaware Invitational at White Clay Creek State Park on September 19th. We kicked the season off strong facing a tough field and a challenging course but performed well with our mens team placing second and women placing third overall!

For the men in the 8k, Senior Evan Diefenbeck lead the pack placing third overall with a time of 27:21. Also securing a top ten placement, senior Dave Kelly placed ninth finishing with a time of 28:39. Rounding out our top scorers, Sophomore Michael Coliveto (28:51). Freshman Carlos Lobo came out strong in his first ever collegiate 8k scoring fourth with a time of 29:22. Soon came Brady Shaeffer (29:42), shortly followed by Sebastiano Vandoni (29:51). And closing out the top seven freshman Max Barlow also in his first collegiate 8k threw down an impressive 30:46. Their dedication paid off as the men’s team earned an impressive second-place finish.

Over on the womens side in the 5k we also had many impressive performances. Leading the team again and placing thirteenth overall, Hardin Edwards continues her impressive freshman season with a time of 20:27. Scoring second junior Claire Merchant came across in 21:2. Quickly followed by freshmen Taylore Dall (21:30), and Scarlett Guenin (21:38). And rounding out the top scorers, junior Kate Kershaw (21:45), and freshman Meghan Metz (21:52) Marleigh Ballard (22:29). The women’s team delivered a strong third place finish, with every member’s effort contributing to their success against a tough, competitive field.

UDXCTF

UD Club Cross Country, Track & Field