KINGS PARK, N.Y. – The legacy continues. The Roberts Wesleyan Redhawks once again proved their cross country dynasty is alive and well, sweeping both the men’s and women’s team titles for an incredible 11th consecutive year at the 2025 ECC Cross Country Championships, hosted by Queens at Sunken Meadow State Park on Saturday morning.
Roberts Wesleyan wasted no time cementing their dominance. On the men’s side, Daemen’s CJ Johnson claimed the individual title with a winning 8k time of 26:24.80, while Roberts’ Rachel Horner-Richardson took control of the women’s 5k, finishing in 18:43.90 to earn her second consecutive championship victory. Both runners were later named ECC Most Outstanding Runners for their stellar performances.
COMPLETE RESULTS
The men’s race was a showcase of both individual brilliance and team depth. While Johnson’s win gave Daemen a proud moment atop the individual podium, Roberts Wesleyan’s relentless pack running left little doubt about the team outcome.
Seven Redhawks finished inside the top ten, led by Trevor Heitkamp, last season’s Most Outstanding Rookie, who crossed the line in second with a 26:39.50. Jakob Zibbel (3rd, 27:00.20), Joel Amstutz (5th, 27:08.60), and Aiden McDonald (6th, 27:29.40) rounded out the Redhawks’ All-ECC First Team selections. Amstutz’s breakout performance also earned him ECC Most Outstanding Rookie honors.
Adding to the Redhawks’ dominance, Caleb Price (8th, 27:38.00), Charlie Matzke (9th, 27:39.80), and Vincent Ciraolo (10th, 27:50.40) joined the All-ECC Second Team, sealing Roberts Wesleyan’s commanding win with just 24 total points.
For Daemen, it was another strong team effort, highlighted by their three top-10 finishes. Behind Johnson’s victory, Ethan Keating (4th, 27:03.30) and Simon Evans (7th, 27:34.40) joined the All-ECC First Team, while veterans Josh Trometer (12th, 28:02.60) and Ibrahim Hakizimana (14th, 28:13.00) landed Second Team honors as the Wildcats took second with 38 points.
Molloy’s freshman standout Anthony Baldasano led the Lions with an 11th-place finish (27:54.60), guiding the program to a third-place team result with 88 points. He was joined by teammates Peter Baggatine (19th, 28:43.10) and Mikai Marks (20th, 28:52.90) in the top 20.
Also shining individually was D’Youville freshman Maxim Stinner, who finished 13th (28:12.70) and earned All-ECC Second Team honors, a promising debut performance for the Saints.
The women’s race brought more of the same — total control from Roberts Wesleyan. Four of the top five finishers wore Redhawk red, headlined by Rachel Horner-Richardson’s winning time of 18:43.90. Close behind was Paige Reeser (2nd, 19:03.20), last year’s Most Outstanding Rookie, with teammates Evelyn Schmidt (4th, 19:15.50) and Lydia Roselund (5th, 19:21.30) rounding out the First Team selections.
The Redhawks’ depth didn’t stop there. Emma Lipa (8th, 19:39.90) and Amelia Mickelson (14th, 19:58.40) earned Second Team recognition, with Lipa also being named ECC Most Outstanding Rookie. Roberts Wesleyan’s women finished with a near-perfect 20 points, leaving little doubt about their continued dominance.
Molloy delivered one of the meet’s most memorable team performances, earning the runner-up finish - their best since 2010. The Lions tallied 67 points, led by Kathleen Healy (3rd, 19:13.20) and Carli Scheiffele (7th, 19:29.10), both earning All-ECC First Team honors. Senior Marie Naudus (10th, 19:50.20) also claimed Second Team recognition as Molloy’s resurgence took shape.
D’Youville captured third place with 73 points, thanks to strong finishes from Lilianna Peters (9th, 19:47.10) and Lily Schulz (11th, 19:52.90), both earning Second Team honors.
Daemen’s Christa Oates (13th, 19:57.20) also secured a Second Team nod, helping the Wildcats place fourth overall. Meanwhile, Staten Island’s Adriana Roa (12th, 19:53.60) delivered a standout race, earning All-ECC honors and guiding the Dolphins to a fifth-place finish.
When the dust settled, Roberts Wesleyan head coach Andrew Dorr once again stood atop the conference, earning ECC Coach of the Year honors for both the men’s and women’s teams. The achievement marked the 12th consecutive year Dorr has claimed the award for both genders, and the 13th straight on the women’s side - a testament to the Redhawks’ sustained excellence and unmatched consistency.
Eleven straight titles. Two more trophies. And a dynasty that shows no signs of slowing down.
Men's Team Results
1. Roberts Wesleyan - 24 points
2. Daemen - 38 points
3. Molloy - 88 points
4. St. Thomas Aquinas - 106 points
5. D’Youville - 134 points
6. Queens - 140 points
7. Staten Island - 179 points
Men's Cross Country All-Conference First Team
CJ Johnson, Daemen (26:24.8)
Trevor Heitkamp, Roberts Wesleyan (26:39.5)
Jakob Zibbel, Roberts Wesleyan (27:00.2)
Ethan Keating, Daemen (27:03.3)
Joel Amstutz, Roberts Wesleyan (27:08.6)
Aiden McDonald, Roberts Wesleyan (27:29.4)
Simon Evans, Daemen (27:34.4)
Men's Cross Country All-Conference Second Team
Caleb Price, Roberts Wesleyan (27:38.0)
Charlie Matzke, Roberts Wesleyan (27:39.8)
Vincent Ciraolo, Roberts Wesleyan (27:50.4)
Anthony Baldasano, Molloy (27:54.6)
Josh Trometer, Daemen (28:02.6)
Maxim Stinner, D’Youville (28:12.7)
Ibrahim Hakizimana, Daemen (28:13.0)
Men's Cross Country Individual Champion and Most Outstanding Runner - CJ Johnson, Roberts Wesleyan
Men's Cross Country Most Outstanding Rookie - Joel Amstutz, Roberts Wesleyan
Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year - Andrew Dorr, Roberts Wesleyan
Men's Cross Country Elite 20 Award - Brad Tobin, Daemen
Women's Team Results
1. Roberts Wesleyan - 20 points
2. Molloy - 67 points
3. D’Youville - 73 points
4. Daemen - 80 points
5. Staten Island - 160 points
6. St. Thomas Aquinas - 194 points
7. District of Columbia - 196 points
8. Queens - 197 points
Women's Cross Country All-Conference First Team
Rachel Horner-Richardson, Roberts Wesleyan (18:43.9)
Paige Reeser, Roberts Wesleyan (19:03.2)
Kathleen Healy, Molloy (19:13.2)
Evelyn Schmit, Roberts Wesleyan (19:15.5)
Lydia Roselund, Roberts Wesleyan (19:21.3)
Patsy Oberholzer, Daemen (19:25.2)
Carli Sheiffele, Molloy (19:29.1)
Women's Cross Country All-Conference Second Team
Emma Lipa, Roberts Wesleyan (19:39.9)
Lilianna Peters, D’Youville(19:47.1)
Marie Naudus, Molloy (19:50.2)
Lily Schulz, D’Youville (19:52.9)
Adriana Roa, Staten Island (19:53.6)
Christa Oates, Daemen (19:57.2)
Amelia Mickelson, Roberts Wesleyan (19:58.4)
Women's Cross Country Individual Champion and Most Outstanding Runner - Rachel Horner-Richardson, Roberts Wesleyan
Women's Cross Country Most Outstanding Rookie - Emma Lipa, Roberts Wesleyan
Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year - Andrew Dorr, Roberts Wesleyan
Women's Cross Country Elite 20 Award - Barbara Kunz, D'Youville