Norwich Cadets take home the silver in Cross Country
The Norwich University men’s and women’s cross-country teams delivered standout performances on their home course Sunday afternoon at the 2025 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championships, highlighted by individual honors and one of the closest team finishes in recent conference history.
The men’s team came close to successfully defending their title as GNAC champions, finishing just two points shy of the title with 46 points to Saint Joseph’s College of Maine’s 44. Senior Seth Varin (Danielson, Conn.) led from start to finish to capture the individual crown in 26:44.9, earning GNAC Runner of the Year honors and becoming the fifth Cadet in program history to receive the award. Varin’s dominant season included four GNAC Runner of the Week selections.
Freshman Shea Parish (Barrington, R.I.) continued his stellar debut campaign with a seventh-place finish (28:19.1) and a spot on the All-Conference First Team, while junior Landon Pandolph (Peru, N.Y.) claimed Second Team recognition for the third straight year after finishing eighth in 28:24.0. Freshman Logan Whitmarsh (North Yarmouth, Maine) added another Second Team nod with a 14th-place finish (29:01.2), and sophomore Matheu Dettenrieder (Tribes Hill, N.Y.) closed out the Cadets’ scoring five in 29:27.9.
Rounding out Norwich’s top seven were Kyle Duffek (Chandler, Ariz.) in 17th (29:34.5) and Alex Calo (Attleboro, Mass.) in 18th (29:46.9). Lasell’s Caleb Ruch earned GNAC Rookie of the Year honors after placing second overall in 26:49.8, helping the Lasers finish fourth with 108 points.
The women’s team mirrored last year’s strong showing, finishing fourth overall with 68 points—tying Saint Joseph’s College of Maine but placing fourth on a head-to-head tiebreaker. Emmanuel College captured the team title with 55 points, holding off five-time defending champion Colby-Sawyer (59).
Sophomore Delaney Whitmarsh (North Yarmouth, Maine) paced the Cadets with an 11th-place finish (25:17.0), securing her second-straight All-Conference Second Team selection. Freshmen Ally Teitsch (Malta, N.Y.) and Heidi Edwards (Crestview, Fla.) also earned Second Team honors after finishing 12th (25:17.3) and 13th (25:25.8), respectively.
Freshman Kaitlyn Moore (Ballston Lake, N.Y.) placed 15th (25:34.1), just one spot shy of All-Conference recognition, while junior Joelle Moore (Swanton, Ohio) rounded out the scoring five in 22nd (26:14.6). Cece Winters (Waco, Texas), the 2023 GNAC Rookie of the Year, was close behind in 23rd (26:17.1), and Ellery Shertzer (Conowingo, Md.) finished 27th (26:53.7).
Colby-Sawyer’s Adriana Nadeau defended her title with a winning time of 24:05.4, earning GNAC Runner of the Year honors, while Saint Joseph’s Amber Pendleton took Rookie of the Year accolades after finishing sixth in 24:53.5.
As tradition, both races began with the ceremonial firing of the M116 75mm pack Howitzer by the Norwich Artillery Battery, with Joe Barch ’82—a member of the undefeated 1982 Norwich Athletic Hall of Fame cross country team—serving as the official starter.
Overall, it was a proud day for the Cadets, showcasing the depth, determination, and competitive spirit of both the men’s and women’s programs on their home turf.
Norwich Swim & Dive Teams continue their showcase of power
The Norwich University men’s and women’s swimming & diving teams continued their early-season momentum on Saturday afternoon at Goodyear Pool, both earning hard-fought victories over Husson University to remain unbeaten in dual competition.
The women’s team battled through a thrilling back-and-forth meet to edge the Eagles, 151-140, claiming nine event wins across the 16-event slate. The men’s squad turned in a dominant showing of its own, rolling to a 174-106 victory behind wins in 10 events and both relays.
The Cadet women set the tone early with a decisive victory in the 400-yard medley relay, as Burgan Danger (Wadsworth, Ohio), Vivian Buntin (Middlebury, Conn.), Katelyn Daly (Pensacola, Fla.), and Delaney Allen (Gibsonia, Pa.) combined for a 4:33.19 finish to win by more than three seconds.
Allen went on to sweep her three individual events, taking first in the 200 freestyle (2:05.84), 50 breaststroke (34.59), and 50 freestyle (26.62). Buntin extended Norwich’s advantage midway through the meet with a commanding win in the 200 breaststroke (2:53.46).
On the boards, Reilly Laitala (Sterling, Mass.) remained unbeaten this season, sweeping both 1-meter diving events with scores of 208.65 (optional) and 149.80 (voluntary).
Deanna Parot (San Diego, Calif.) provided valuable points with a victory in the 50 butterfly (30.34) and a runner-up finish in the 100 freestyle (1:00.27), while Danger contributed a series of key second-place finishes in the 50 back (30.85), 200 back (2:27.44), and 100 individual medley (1:13.01) to help Norwich seal the narrow team win.
Additionally, the men’s team dominated the pool from start to finish, capturing both relays and a string of key mid-meet victories to outpace Husson.
Norwich opened with a commanding win in the 400-yard medley relay, as Drew Bylow (Monroe, Mich.), Adrian Riendeau (Ridgecrest, Calif.), Andrew Clark (Acworth, Ga.), and Gabe Wettig (Ballston Spa, N.Y.) clocked a 3:45.05, nearly seven seconds ahead of the Eagles.
Kristian Adlianitski (Cheshire, Conn.) and Clark each notched two individual wins. Adlianitski swept the 200 freestyle (1:52.09) and 50 breaststroke (28.88), while Clark claimed the 200 butterfly (2:01.17) and 500 freestyle (5:09.45).
Riendeau added victories in the 50 backstroke (25.22) and 100 individual medley (59.06), while Wettig won the 100 freestyle (51.49). Bylow secured the 200 backstroke (2:03.82), and Alex Sulyma (Warwick, R.I.) opened the individual events with a win in the 1000 freestyle (10:58.15), leading a 1-2 Norwich finish with Anthony Helmer (Morristown, N.J.).
The Cadets capped their dominant performance with a victory in the 200 freestyle relay, as Bylow, Clark, Adlianitski, and Riendeau combined for a 1:30.28, edging Husson’s A-team by less than half a second.
Before the diving events, Norwich recognized Will Thompson ’25, who was formally presented with the 2025 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Athlete of the Year for Men’s Sports. A three-time GNAC team champion and 22-time individual and relay title-winner, Thompson becomes just the second male student-athlete in program history to earn the award, joining teammate Benjamin Stark ’24.
Both Norwich squads will look to carry their unbeaten dual-meet records into next weekend’s action as they continue building momentum toward the midseason invitational slate.
Norwich Wrestling starts their 2025-2026 season on top
The Norwich University wrestling programs opened the 2025-26 campaign with a pair of impressive performances over the weekend, as the men’s team split two duals at New England College, while the women’s team made program history in its inaugural competition at the East Stroudsburg Open.
The men’s wrestling team began its season with a dominant 30-15 victory over New England College before narrowly falling to perennial power Springfield College, 24-17, in Henniker, N.H. The Cadets won seven of 10 bouts against NEC, highlighted by four bonus-point victories and three pins. At 125 pounds, Robbie Lyons (Milford, Mass.) gave Norwich early momentum with a fall at 5:26 over Dominic Gangi. Carvey Moyer (Easton, Pa.) followed with a hard-fought 13-11 decision at 133, and Nicholas Berrena (State College, Pa.) extended the run with a 10-6 win at 141.
After NEC earned a fall at 149, Gannon White (Rincon, Ga.) responded quickly with a pin in just 2:49 at 157 pounds. Jonathan Neypes (Columbia, Md.) added a 10-7 decision at 165 to keep Norwich in control before the Pilgrims took the next two bouts. Christopher Folsom (Essex, Vt.) sealed the team victory with a first-period pin in 1:54 at 197 pounds, and Rory Nolan (Wadsworth, Ohio) closed out the dual with a 7-2 decision at heavyweight.
In the second dual of the day, Norwich battled closely with Springfield College, falling just short despite several strong individual performances. Lyons once again opened with authority, posting a dominant 19-2 technical fall over Hunter Sanchez at 125 pounds. After Springfield claimed three straight bouts to take an 11-5 lead, White secured a 15-9 decision at 157, and Neypes followed with a 5-2 victory at 165 to tie the match at 11 apiece. Springfield regained control with three consecutive wins at 174, 184, and 197, but Nolan finished the dual in dramatic fashion, pinning Ben Katz at 6:59 to make the final score 24-17.
The men’s team will continue its season at the two-day Ithaca Invitational on November 7–8.
Meanwhile, the women’s wrestling team made its historic debut on Sunday at the East Stroudsburg Open, competing in a deep and talented field featuring NCAA Division I, II, and III programs from across the region. The Cadets made an immediate impact, recording several victories across multiple weight classes in their first-ever competition. Ay’Seante Ross (Wilmington, N.C.) etched her name into the record books by earning the program’s first win, pinning her opponent in just 22 seconds.
At 117 pounds, Addisyn Herdic (Canterbury, Conn.) led the way with two impressive victories. She posted a 10-0 technical fall over Bluefield State’s Paige Altizer in 1:33 before adding a pin against Mount Olive’s Mallory McDonald in 2:39. Teammate Gianna Silva (Monroe, Conn.) also found success at 117, earning a pin of her own over Kean University’s Domenica Fiallos in 26 seconds.
Charlii Carbajal Sanchez (Broomfield, Colo.) turned in another strong showing for Norwich at 138 pounds, earning back-to-back wins by fall in the consolation bracket—first pinning Kean’s Celine Asare in 33 seconds, then adding another fall in 2:27 over New Jersey City’s Natalie Lozano.
The Cadet women will continue their inaugural season on November 9 at a quad meet hosted by Western New England University, featuring Utica University and the University of Bridgeport.
It was a milestone weekend for Norwich wrestling, as the men opened their season with a strong statement and the women’s team officially began a new chapter in program history.
Norwich Soccer gets shutout in the playoffs
The Norwich University men’s and women’s soccer teams closed out their 2025 campaigns this past week with spirited postseason performances in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament, each leaving everything on the field and continuing to build on the program’s upward trajectory.
The Norwich University men’s soccer team saw its season come to a close Tuesday night with a hard-fought 1–0 loss to second-seeded Rivier University in the GNAC Semifinal. From the opening whistle, the Cadets displayed confidence and composure, controlling the early tempo and generating the first scoring opportunities. Jack Hunt (Gilbert, Ariz.) forced Rivier goalkeeper Logan Clough into an early save in the seventh minute as Norwich dictated play through the midfield. Rivier responded with a few chances’ midway through the half, but senior goalkeeper Kirk Rodgers (Lebanon, Ohio) — playing in his final collegiate match — made several key saves to keep the match scoreless at the break.
The intensity continued into the second half as both sides fought for control. Norwich created multiple chances through forwards Gabriel Cantarero (Annapolis, Md.), Andrew McDonough (Gilford, N.H.), and Ben Rubinstein (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.), but Clough denied each effort. The Raiders broke through in the 70th minute when a penalty kick conversion by Alejandro Quezada gave Rivier the lead.
True to their “I Will Try” spirit, the Cadets refused to back down. Norwich outshot Rivier 10–6 in the second half, pressing forward with urgency and earning several late corner kicks. Cameron Albrecht (Albuquerque, N.M.) nearly equalized in the 81st minute, but Clough’s diving save preserved the narrow lead. Despite relentless pressure until the final whistle, the Cadets could not find the tying goal.
The semifinal appearance capped a season defined by growth and resilience. Under Head Coach Rob Emmett, Norwich improved its win total from a year ago and reasserted itself as one of the GNAC’s top contenders. Seniors Rodgers, Oleksandr Kharchuk (Ukraine), and Loagen McMahon (Clarksville, Md.) concluded distinguished careers that helped shape the foundation for the program’s continued rise.
With a strong returning core and the experience gained from a deep postseason run, the Cadets enter the offseason poised to take the next step in 2026.
Meanwhile, the Norwich University women’s soccer team also wrapped up a season of progress, falling 3–1 to top-seeded and defending champion Emmanuel College in the GNAC Quarterfinals on Saturday afternoon at Roberto Clemente Field in Boston. The Cadets showed poise from the outset, weathering early pressure from the Saints as goalkeeper Michaela Dubey (Belchertown, Mass.) came up with several key saves to keep the match level. Norwich countered with quality chances of its own, as Lily Briggs (Fair Haven, Vt.) and Blythe McQuade (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) each forced Emmanuel keeper Teigan Robbie into action.
Emmanuel broke through midway through the first half, scoring directly from a corner kick, but Norwich responded almost immediately when Kat Probst (Gouverneur, N.Y.) buried the equalizer to make it 1–1. Dubey continued her stellar play to keep the game tied heading into halftime. The Saints struck twice in quick succession early in the second half to take control, but Norwich continued to fight, pressing forward and testing the Emmanuel defense down the stretch. Dubey finished with an impressive 11 saves, anchoring the Cadets in net and giving her team a chance throughout.
Norwich concluded the season with a 7-7-4 record, marking the program’s first back-to-back GNAC Tournament appearances since 2010–11. The result reflected a season of steady growth and competitive consistency under the guidance of Head Coach Abby Isidor, as the Cadets continued to establish themselves as a team capable of challenging the league’s top programs.
Together, Norwich’s men’s and women’s soccer teams showcased the values that define Norwich Athletics — teamwork, determination, and pride in every performance. While both seasons ended short of championship glory, each program took another step forward in its development, setting the stage for an even brighter 2026 campaign.
Norwich Hockey begins season with two major losses
The Norwich University men’s and women’s hockey teams opened their 2025-26 seasons over the weekend, each facing nationally ranked opponents in their respective debuts. Both programs showed flashes of promise and resilience against elite competition as they prepare to begin play in the newly formed Little East Conference (LEC) this week.
The men’s hockey team began its campaign Saturday night at Kreitzberg Arena, hosting fourth-ranked Curry College, an NCAA National Semifinalist a season ago. After a back-and-forth opening few minutes, the Colonels capitalized on the game’s first power play just three minutes in, scoring off a clean faceoff win and wrist shot by Manny Cabral. Norwich responded with a power play opportunity of its own minutes later, testing Curry goaltender Thomas Heaney, but couldn’t find the equalizer. Following a successful Cadet penalty kill, Gage Dill doubled the visitors’ lead on a breakaway midway through the first period.
Early in the second, Curry extended its lead to three on an odd-man rush, and Norwich nearly answered when Devon Thibodeau (Pelham, Ont.) rang a shot off the post before Heaney made a follow-up save. The Colonels continued to press, stretching their lead to four with eight minutes remaining in the frame. With just over three minutes left in the period, Norwich broke through when Jed Brazo (Homer, N.Y.) started a rush that led to a rebound goal by Cooper Bertrand (Caledon, Ont.), assisted by Niko Benjamin (Surprise, Ariz.), cutting the deficit to 4–1. Curry would restore its four-goal lead before adding one later in the third to seal the win.
The Cadets will look to bounce back Friday night when they host Plymouth State at 7:00 p.m. in their first-ever Little East Conference contest, which will also feature the sixth annual Darn Tough Sock Toss at Kreitzberg Arena.
Meanwhile, the fifteenth-ranked Norwich women’s hockey team opened its season Friday afternoon with a road matchup against regional rival and seventh-ranked Plattsburgh State, marking the first game behind the bench for new Head Coach Justin Simpson.
Both teams showed early-season energy and defensive structure in a scoreless first period. Norwich’s aggressive forecheck created quality scoring chances for Jordan Brady (Green Bay, Wis.) and Alex Leslie (Irishtown, N.B.), but Plattsburgh goaltender Chloe Lewis stood tall to keep the Cadets off the board. Norwich’s penalty kill and neutral-zone discipline kept the Cardinals’ opportunities to the outside, and the teams entered the first intermission deadlocked at 0–0.
In the second period, Norwich continued to push the pace, as Anna Lisac (Euclid, Ohio) generated a breakaway opportunity that Lewis turned aside before Cadet goaltender Madison Brunet (Timmins, Ont.) made a big stop on the counterattack. Shortly after, Plattsburgh finally broke through on a deflected shot by Tessa Morris through traffic to take a 1–0 lead. Brunet denied another high-danger chance late in the frame to keep it a one-goal game heading into the third.
Norwich’s power play produced several strong looks early in the final period, including efforts from Dani Ammons (Centennial, Colo.) and Breanna Ricker (Laconia, N.H.), but the Cardinals capitalized on a turnover in transition to double their lead. As the game wound down, both sides traded penalties before Morris added an empty-net goal to close out a 3–0 Plattsburgh win. Brunet finished with 25 saves, Leslie blocked five shots, and Lisac led Norwich in attempts on goal.
The female Cadets return home on Friday, Nov. 7, when they welcome Vermont State Castleton to Kreitzberg Arena at 4:00 p.m. for their first-ever Little East Conference matchup and home opener.
Both Norwich squads will now shift their focus toward conference competition, eager to build on the positives from opening weekend and make their mark in a new era of Norwich hockey.
Norwich Football falls to Pride
The Norwich University football team fell 48–6 to Springfield College in NEWMAC action.
Springfield opened the scoring on its first drive with a nine-yard touchdown run by TJ Welch. Norwich answered quickly as Henri Bourque (Claremont, N.H.) connected with Tommy McDonaugh (Braintree, Mass.) on a 50-yard double pass to set up a two-yard touchdown run by Will Patenaude (Goffstown, N.H.). The Pride added another score late in the first quarter and one more before halftime to take control.
The Cadets’ defense created a highlight when Madux McGrath (Amherst, N.H.) forced a fumble recovered by Marcello Misuraca (Wilmington, Mass.), but Norwich couldn’t capitalize. Springfield’s rushing attack continued to produce after the break, adding several touchdowns to seal the win.
Corey Stone (Piscataway, N.J.) led the Cadets with 15 tackles, an interception, and a pass breakup. Ben Primich (Yardley, Pa.) followed with 14 tackles, while McGrath and Devin DeJesus (Chelmsford, Mass.) each had 13. Maddox Reed (Spring Hill, Tenn.) also added a sack.
Norwich will stay home next Saturday, Nov. 8, to face Salve Regina for Norwich’s Senior Day.
