Charlottesville, Va. – With the America East Conference Championships just two weeks away, the UMBC men's cross country squad traveled to Panorama Farms in Charlottesville to compete in the University of Virginia-hosted 8k Invitational on Friday morning.

The Retrievers finished fifth of 16 competitive squads, totaling 172 points. Virginia Tech dominated the event, surging ahead with just 20 points.

Junior Daniel Danilovitz led the charge for UMBC, clocking 25:20.3. The 2025 First Team All-Conference selection placed 26^th out of 149 runners, showing determination and endurance against a talented field.

2025 Third Team All-Conference honoree Justin Banks and sophomore Joey Ensor finished mere moments apart. Banks claimed 30th place in 25:27.0, while Ensor followed closely in 34th with 25:27.7.

Juniors Kieran Mischke and John Saltysiak delivered strong performances, taking 47th and 66th place^, respectively. Mischke finished in 25:47.7, while Saltysiak completed the course in 26:11.1.

Sophomores Ryan Hartranft (74^th, 26:24.0) and Grayson Ruffner (115^th, 27:36.6) rounded out the Retrievers' scoring.