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NEW HAVEN, Conn. - - The Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference announced its Hall of Fame class of 2024, and the 2013 Wilmington University cross country team will be recognized as one of the inductees. They will be honored along four individuals who each made their mark through their CACC careers.

The four individuals include Gage Daye (Bloomfield College Men's Basketball Student-Athlete), Sherry Keech Coulter (Georgian Court University Softball & Volleyball Student-Athlete), Brian Mackey (Dominican University Men's Golf Student-Athlete) and Neil Tarangioli (Concordia College Tennis Coach). That group will be joined by the 2013 Wilmington University Men's Cross Country team to be inducted into the Hall.

"The CACC is proud to induct these worthy honorees into the conference's Hall of Fame," Commissioner Mara said. "The Class of '24 features four individuals and a cross country team that brought success with honor to the conference. We look forward to taking part in the official induction ceremonies throughout the upcoming athletic season."

The 2013 Wildcats became the first cross country team in the NCAA era to sweep the CACC Championship individual standings -- going first through fifth place -- to earn the lowest possible score at a meet with 15 team points. CACC Runner of the Year Richie Mitten set a new WilmU program record on Belmont Plateau, winning the CACC Championship in 26:43. Mitten was followed by Jesus Amezquita in second who ran the third fastest time at Belmont Plateau in program history in 26:47, Tyler Muse in third with the then sixth fastest time on Belmont Plateau in program history with a 27:18, Mike O'Brien in fourth place with a 27:24, and CACC Rookie of the Year Ken Fontal in fifth place with a 27:27. Marshall Hawkins (10^th – 27:57) and Matt Mossman (14^th – 28:28) also earned All-CACC honors for the Wildcats, as all seven Wildcats finished inside the Top 15.

The Wildcats went on to finish third overall at the NCAA Division II East Regional Championship, becoming the first team in CACC history to advance to the NCAA DII National Championship. Richie Mitten placed sixth overall while Jesus Amezquita (12^th) and Mike O'Brien (25^th) all earned All-Region honors for being inside the Top 25. Ken Fontal finished 26^th overall followed by Tyler Muse (31^st), Matt Mossman (43^rd, and Marshall Hawkins (48^th).

The Wildcats went on to compete in the NCAA DII National Championship in Spokane, Washington, running at the Plantes Ferry Complex. They finished as the 30^th best team in the country in 2013.

"The 2013 Wilmington University Men's XC team stands alone as the most talented XC team in the history of the CACC Conference," head coach Keith Jones, who was voted the CACC Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year in 2013, said. "It was a phenomenal season, filled with exceptional performances.  To be inducted into the Hall of Fame is priceless, and something they will cherish forever."

The Wilmington University Athletics Department and the CACC will honor the 2013 Wilmington Men's Cross Country team later this fall to officially induct them into the CACC Hall of Fame.