LANCASTER, Pa. – Zach Houff raced to a first-place finish at the season-opening Little Three Meet on Tuesday evening. Houff was the only runner to complete the two-mile course in under 10 minutes as he crossed the line in 9:56.1.

Houff's efforts helped the Diplomats to a second-place team finish with a score of 48 points. Dickinson won the annual event with a score of 29 points, while F&M edged Gettysburg as the Bullets finished with 52 points.

In addition to Houff winning the individual title by over 10 seconds, Tommy Tapino (10:17.9) and Walter Mulroy (10:22.4) finished in the fifth and seventh positions, respectively. Franklin & Marshall officially secured its runner-up spot in the team standings as the team's fourth through seventh finishers came across the line in quick succession. Asher Walton (10:52.3) led that group, with George Williams (10:54.1), Sean Gorman (10:56.0), and Aiden Cotter (10:57.1) all breaking the 11-minute mark.

A total of 16 Diplomats took to the course in the season opener on the team's home course. After F&M's top seven, Brian Mix (11:08.3), Jack Johnson (11:10.3), Milo Burns (11:23.3), Chase Bellamy (11:24.1), Harvey Li (11:25.1), Addison Neuen (11:42.7), Cole Smith (12:03.4), Rowan Grant (12:18.8), and Geoffrey Beane (12:35.9) wrapped up a strong early showing from the squad.

With the first race of the year completed, Franklin & Marshall will now trek to Dickinson on Saturday, September 12 for the Long-Short Invitational.