LAKEWOOD, N.J. (November 8, 2026) – Wilmington University freshman Kenai Black was named the 2026 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Year and Rookie of the Year after winning this year’s CACC Championship race on Sunday morning at Ocean County Park. The meet was hosted by Georgian Court University.
Race information, including links to full results, archived video, and the conference championship apparel store, is available at the CACC Championship Central web page.
Jones charged toward the finish line with sophomore teammate Skyler Pearson and Thomas Jefferson University sophomore Dylan Boyle in hot pursuit. He held both off, crossing the finish line in a meet-record 8,000-meter time of 26 minutes, 6.8 seconds. Boyle finished second in 26:08.1 and Pearson was third in 26:08.6, with all three surpassing the previous record of 26:14.7 set by Caldwell University’s Joey Datta in 2024 at Belmont Plateau.
All three men were honored on the All-CACC Team. That status was bestowed upon the top 15 finishers.
Black and Pearson keyed a one-point victory for the Wildcats, 45-46, over Jefferson for the team championship, with both squads gaining four All-CACC performers. Wilmington added sophomores Reggie Hernandez (13th) and Julian Rich (14th) to the all-conference team. In addition to Boyle, Jefferson saw sophomore George Hood place sixth, sophomore Ryan Goldberg finish 10th, and freshman Ian Doll grab the 15th and final spot.
Felician University moved up two spots from a year ago to finish third with 54 points. The Golden Falcons also earned four all CACC performers, led by freshman Vincent Perri in seventh place. Fellow rookie Josh Sanders was eighth, freshman Carter Lodato finished 11th, and Felician junior Patrick DuBois ended up in 12th place.
Rounding out the All-CACC team were senior Ryan Pettrow of Georgian Court University (4th), senior John Ferry of Goldey-Beacom College (5th), and freshman Justin Halmose of Post University (9th). Six all-conference slots were claimed by freshmen and six more by sophomores.
2026 CACC MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
(Top 15 Finishers in Individual Standings of 8,000-Meter Championship Race)
1. Kenai Black, Wilmington, 26:06.8
2. Dylan Boyle, Jefferson, 26:08.1
3. Skyler Pearson, Wilmington, 26:08.6
4. Ryan Pettrow, Georgian Court, 26:36.0
5. John Ferry, Goldey-Beacom, 26:38.6
6. George Hood, Jefferson, 26:52.2
7. Vincent Perri, Felician, 26:58.1
8. Josh Sanders, Felician, 27:02.2
9. Justin Halmose, Post, 27:03.7
10. Ryan Goldberg, Jefferson, 27:06.3
11. Carter Lodato, Felician, 27:08.3
12. Patrick DuBois, Felician, 27:12.7
13. Reggie Hernandez, Wilmington; 27:12.9
14. Julian Rich, Wilmington, 27:19.9
15. Ian Doll, Jefferson, 27:22.8
2026 CACC MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER OF THE YEAR
(First-Place Finisher in the Event)
Kenai Black, Wilmington University
2025 CACC MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
(Top Rookie Finisher in the Event)
Kenai Black, Wilmington University
2026 CACC MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP SCHOLAR AWARD
(Highest Cumulative Grade Point Average at the Finals Site; at least 48 credits earned at current institution)
Carter Sparwasser, Wilmington University, 4.00
Founded in 1961, the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference has been affiliated with NCAA Division II for 21 years. Conference institutions compete for championships in 18 sports – seven for men, 10 for women, and one co-ed. The CACC contains 11 full members in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Membership includes the University of Bridgeport, Caldwell University, Chestnut Hill College, Dominican University New York, Felician University, Georgian Court University, Goldey-Beacom College, Holy Family University, Post University, Thomas Jefferson University, and Wilmington University.