CARLISLE, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall men's cross country team posted an eighth place team finish at the 2024 Centennial Conference Championships on Saturday afternoon. With a team that featured half of its lineup as first-years competing in their first conference championship event, the Diplomats scored 211 points as a team.

Three of those first-years led F&M to the finish line, headlined by Sean Gorman who finished in a time of 27:26.1 to place 51st. He was one of two first-years to break the 28-minute mark as Tommy Tapino finished in 54th with a time of 27:34.0. Zach Houff was the Diplomats' was the third Diplomat across the line in the 62nd position (28:11.9).

Overall, four the Diplomats' top five finishers were first-years. Junior Holden Brown (28:18.1) crossed the line in 64th place, while first-year Seamus Downey was F&M's fifth finisher in 70th place (28:30.0). Aiden Cotter (28:31.9) and Owen McCann (28:37.5) were the team's sixth and seventh runners, placing 72nd and 74th respectively. Cole Smith (28:44.1), Addison Neuen (29:12.7), George Williams (30:23.6), and Andrew Li (32:32.2) also competed in the conference championships for the Diplomats.

Postseason for the men's cross country team continues in two weeks when the Diplomats head to Lock Haven for the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship on Saturday, November 16. Bids to the NCAA Division III Championships will be awarded to the top finishing teams and individuals during that regional meet.