Syracuse Men Finished Second at Princeton Meadows Challenge
The Orange men secured a second-place finish while the women finished fifth at the Princeton Meadows Challenge.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Track & Field
Syracuse University men's cross country team claimed second place with 67 points at the Princeton Meadows Challenge. The women's team also competed at the event, finishing in fifth place.
Why it matters
Strong team placements at competitive meets like the Princeton Meadows Challenge establish momentum for cross country programs as they head into late-season championship events. These performances are crucial for building the regional and national rankings necessary for postseason qualification.
Syracuse men earned second place with 67 points, trailing Alabama's winning score of 42. In individual results, Benne Anderson finished in 23:11.2, while Keira Rogan clocked a 19:58.8 in the women's 6K race.
The players
Syracuse University
This is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, that competes in NCAA Division I athletics as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Benne Anderson
He is a distance runner for the Syracuse University men's cross country team who secured a third-place finish at this event.
Keira Rogan
She is a member of the Syracuse University women's cross country team who finished seventh at the Princeton Meadows Challenge.
The details
Benne Anderson provided a highlight for the men's squad by surging from ninth to third place during the final mile of the race. On the women's side, Keira Rogan demonstrated notable improvement by shaving 17 seconds off her previous 6K time.
Timeline
The Princeton Meadows Challenge took place on September 26, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The team's success in Princeton acts as a key building block for their upcoming schedule at the NCAA Pre-Nationals in Indiana. This performance helps define Syracuse's standing within the competitive landscape before the postseason rounds.
Benne Anderson's late-race surge from ninth to third place confirms his role as a top-tier scorer for the squad. Keira Rogan's 17-second improvement in her 6K time serves as a critical performance metric for fans tracking the team's upward trajectory.
The takeaway
Maintaining consistent top-five finishes against high-level collegiate programs serves as a benchmark for team development. Runners who demonstrate late-race progression are often those who will be most impactful in future high-stakes championship environments.
What happens next
The team will continue their season at the NCAA Pre-Nationals in Indiana and the Joe Handelman Princeton Fall Classic.
Further reading
For more updates on regional athletic results, visit the Track & Field section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Orange.
