ROCK ISLAND, Ill. - The University of Chicago men's cross-country team delivered a commendable performance at the NCAA D3 Midwest Regional Championships on November 16, 2024, finishing sixth overall with 170 points. The meet, held at Saukie Golf Course in Rock Island, IL, brought together a competitive field of top regional teams.
 

Sophomore Sanju Patel led the Maroons with a standout 12th-place finish, clocking a time of 24:48.9 on the 8,000-meter course. Patel's performance earned him All-Region honors, along with teammate Liam Eifert, who finished 34th with a time of 25:23.0. John List (37th, 25:27.6), Isaac Cohen (39th, 25:30.5), and Noah Bender (48th, 25:49.1) rounded out UChicago's scoring five. Zane Gillan (60th) and Spencer May (68th) added depth to the team's effort, with all seven runners showcasing a grit and determined team race.
 

"Our men had to attack the race and got out pretty aggressively. I was proud of the way they competed," said head coach Chris Hall. "We fell a bit short of the goal but absolutely put ourselves in a position to succeed."
 

Despite hopes of finishing in the top five to strengthen their chances for an NCAA Championship berth, the Maroons faced stiff competition and narrowly missed the mark. "Felt we ran very well but had hoped to place in the top 5 thought that would have given us a much better chance to advance to the NCAAs," Coach Hall remarked. "Our men's team has dealt with a number of injuries this year but still responded very well."
 

Sanju Patel's performance ensures his advancement to the NCAA Championships as an individual if the team does not receive an at-large bid. The Maroons will await the NCAA Selection announcement on Sunday, November 17, to determine whether they will join Patel in Terre Haute, IN, for the national championship meet.