New York University freshman Ryan Tobin (Toms River, NJ/Toms River South) completed his inaugural collegiate season by competing against the nation's best Division III runners at the NCAA Cross Country Championship on Saturday, November 20, in Louisville, KY.

Having earned an at-large individual spot by his strong performance at the NCAA Niagara Regional on November 13, Tobin and the other 293 competitors toed the line at E.P. Tom Sawyer Park's 8k course.

"The energy was like no other race I had ever experienced before," admitted Tobin, who posted a season-best time 25:28.7 and finished in 197th place. "It was great to be here as a freshman and I hope to be back here again."

Tobin began the race toward the back of the pack, but moved up "about 20 people per mile," according to Head Coach Tyler Deck Shipley. "In fact, he might have passed more people over the last 4k than anyone else in the race."

Tobin was NYU's lone competitor at the Championship.

"We have a really young group, and over the next couple of years we're going to keep building," Tobin said. "Our goal is to have the rest of the team here, as well." 

Saturday's race marked the end of the season for the cross country team. 

"To be here as a freshman and have a solid race is great," Deck Shipley added. "It's a learning experience, a whole new beast compared to our regular cross country races. It's exciting that he was here to experience it."

NYU's indoor track & field season will begin in January.