Findlay Claims First G-MAC Men's Cross Country Title in Program History

11.7.26

TIFFIN, Ohio — The University of Findlay men’s cross country team captured the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Men's Cross Country Championship title, putting together a dominant team showing across the 8-kilometer championship course at Hedges-Boyer Park.
 
The Oilers captured the crown with a team score of 38 points, placing five scoring runners inside the top 15. Sophomore Benjamin Hall led the way for Findlay, finishing as the conference runner-up with a time of 24:05.2. Junior Asher Long took fifth place in 24:13.2, followed closely by sophomore Ty Rosengarten in seventh (24:17.9). Junior Erik Nygaard (11th, 24:33.5) and sophomore Billy Dennison (13th, 24:39.0) rounded out Findlay’s five-man scoring pack to secure the victory ahead of host Tiffin University (60 points).
 
Findlay’s championship day was further highlighted by Dennison, who was named the recipient of the prestigious G-MAC Elite 26 Award. Modeled after the NCAA Elite 90 program, the Elite 26 recognizes the participating student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average at the championship finals site, underscoring the Oilers' standard of excellence both on the course and in the classroom.
 
Individually, host Tiffin made a major impact on the podium. Senior standout Isaac Houghton captured the individual championship, earning G-MAC Men's Cross Country Runner of the Year honors after crossing the finish line first overall in 24:03.1.
 
Adding to the Dragons’ individual accolades, newcomer Nathan Eminian was named the G-MAC Men's Cross Country Freshman of the Year as the top-finishing true freshman in the field, clocking a time of 25:10.2 to finish 27th overall.



Great Midwest Men’s Cross Country Championship Summary
  • Team Champion: University of Findlay (38 points)
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  • Runner-Up: Tiffin University (60 points)
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  • Individual Champion / Runner of the Year: Isaac Houghton, Tiffin (24:03.1)
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  • Freshman of the Year: Nathan Eminian, Tiffin (25:10.2)
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  • Elite 26 Award Winner: Billy Dennison, Findlay
 
Findlay Top Scorers:
 
  • 2nd – Benjamin Hall (24:05.2)
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  • 5th – Asher Long (24:13.2)
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  • 7th – Ty Rosengarten (24:17.9)
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  • 11th – Erik Nygaard (24:33.5)
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  • 13th – Billy Dennison (24:39.0)