Grant Russo

Denison senior Grant Russo (Medina, Ohio/Medina) was named North Coast Athletic Conference Runner of the Year after winning the NCAC Men's Cross Country Championships on Saturday at Oberlin College.

Russo was also named to the first-team all-conference squad, marking his fourth all-NCAC accolade. He was a second-team selection in 2007 and earned back-to-back honorable mention honors in 2005 and 2006. The senior also earned NCAC Runner of the Week on Oct. 12.

Russo finished the race in 24:56.9 which was almost 13 seconds faster the Zac Ross of Allegheny. Russo became just the fourth Big Red individual to win the event, and the first since Joe Dunham did so in 1999. Additionally, the senior's time was the first time a runner has finished the 8K course in under 25 minutes resulting in the fastest time in the 25-year history of the conference championship meet.

Also earning special recognition was Denison freshman standout Dee Salukombo (Lakewood, Ohio/Lakewood). Salukombo was named NCAC Newcomer of the Year after finishing third in the conference championships with a time of 25:13. The first-year was just four seconds behind runner up Ross. Like Russo, Salukombo was named conference Runner of the Week (Sept. 21).

Not since 1999 has a Denison duo captured both NCAC Runner and Newcomer of the Year. The Big Red tandem that accomplished the feat were Dunham and Brock Babcock. 

Joining Russo and Salukombo on the first team was senior Skyler Mosenthal (Briarcliff, N.Y./Briarcliff). Mosenthal earned his first-career all-NCAC honor with a seventh-place finish at the conference meet. He finished the 8K course in a time of 25:33.

All three runners have collectively been key components in Denison's climb to 31st in the Division III National Rankings.

The Big Red return to action on Nov. 15 when they travel to Westerville, Ohio for the NCAA Great Lakes Regional meet.