Lakewood, N.J. – Stockton University opened the 2026 season by winning the Pine Barrens Challenge, which was hosted by Georgian Court University at Ocean County Park.
The Ospreys topped a field of eight teams that included fellow NJAC members Rutgers-Camden and Rutgers-Newark plus five NCAA Division II squads. Stockton's top five all finished in the first 11 places out of 62 runners in the field.
A pair of newcomers led the way as sophomore transfer Sam Szczepanski (Chester/Mendham) won the race in 20:35.6 for six kilometers. Freshman James Clauson (Haddon Twp./Haddon Twp.) finished second at 20:40.2 in his first college race.
Patrick Storti (Cinnaminson/Cinnaminson) placed ninth (21:12.4) followed by Owen Bergen (Brick/Brick Twp.) in 10th place (21:21.0) and freshman Jacob Kroposky (Eatontown/Monmouth) in 11th position (21:23.6).
Beyond the five scorers, Zach Hutchinson (Ocean City/Ocean City) and Lewis Iannucci (Merchantville/Haddon Hts.) finished 14th and 15th respectively with times of 21:54.2 and 21:56.6.
Stockton will run in the TCNJ Herb Lorenz Invitational next Friday, September 11 at 5:30 p.m.
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