Bates College

Senior Nathaniel Aronson took first place individually and the Bates men's cross country team turned in a massive performance, winning the Maine State Championship for the third straight year Saturday, topping a field of 12 teams at Pickard Field Cross Country Course. 

The University of Maine made a rare appearance at the meet, sending their top runners. And the Bobcats beat them by five points.

Aronson raced to the finish of the 8K course in 25:09.3, becoming the 19th Bates runner to win the state individual title since the men's meet began in 1968. He is the first Bobcat to win it since James Jones '20 in 2016. It's the first time since 2014 that Bates men's cross country has won the team title and had an individual take first place in the same year.