WILLIAMSTOWN, MA (September 20, 2025) – Facing Williams College and RPI teams who were ahead of them in this week's Division III national poll, the Tufts University men's cross country team won the Purple Valley Classic hosted by Williams on Saturday. The Jumbos were led by senior
Cullen McCaleb, who was first individually for the second time in as many races this season.
In this week's USTFCCCA Division III poll, Tufts was ranked 11th behind RPI who was eighth and Williams which was ninth. The Jumbos won today with a 36 team score to the Ephs' 41 and 43 for RPI. Molloy College was the fourth-place team with a 120 score.
McCaleb was first in today's eight-kilometer race in a 24:42.5 time, edging Williams' Eli Welch (24:43.4) at the finish line. He adds this to a win at Trinity College's George Suitor Invitational on September 6. McCaleb is returning from injuries that had prevented him from competing in cross country since 2023.
Tufts had junior
Jonah Reisner finish close behind the leaders as well today, with his 24:46.6 mark taking third.
The Jumbos put four in the top 10 overall, as junior
Harris Gulbransen ran 25:01.2 for eighth place and senior
Quinn Hampson crossed the finish line in 25:11.6 for ninth. Tufts received an excellent effort from junior
Meba Henok, with his 25:28.7 for 15th place scoring fifth for the Jumbos.
Rounding out the top seven for Tufts were senior
Luke Brennan (25:35.0) and senior
Calvin Cummings (25:36.8).
Junior
Avery Smart added a top 20 finish overall out of the 79 competitors with this 25:42.9 mark.
The Jumbos were without returning All-American
Amokrane Aouchiche today, who is working his way back from injury.
--JUMBOS--
