BOSTON, Mass. – Wentworth Institute of Technology Director of Athletics Angel Ayres today announced the addition of men's cross country as a varsity sport, beginning with the 2014-2015 academic year. In addition to announcing the elevation of cross country from club status to a varsity sport, Ayres also announced that Matt Moyen '06 will serve as the program's head coach and Chris Colongeli will serve as Moyen's assistant coach.

"It is with great pleasure that we announce that our men's cross country program will be elevated to varsity status next year," said Ayres. "We have both a very committed coaching staff and excited student-athletes who have competed at the club level this fall."

"The elevation of the men's cross country team to varsity status in an exciting occasion for Wentworth Athletics," said Moyen. "More importantly, is an unforgettable moment for the student-athletes involved with building the program. I'm honored to have been chosen to undertake the development of a successful cross country program here at my alma mater."

The program recently completed a season at the club level where the Leopards competed in four races – the Pop Crowell Invitational, the Tri-State Invitational, the Saints Cross Country Invitational, and as a non-team scoring entrant in the Commonwealth Coast Conference Championship held in Biddeford, Maine, earlier this month.

"When developing a new program it is imperative that you build a strong foundation consisting of student-athletes who share the same passion and excitement for competition in the sport," said Moyen. "We are fortunate enough to have seven very dedicated student-athletes to build off of as we transition into a varsity program."

Moyen is a native of Leominster, Mass. where he competed on the track & field team at Leominster High School. He competed in the 55m, 300m, 4 x 200m relay, and 4 x 400m relay events and is the school record holder in the 4 x 200m relay.

Upon arriving at Wentworth, his competition in track & field came to an end with Wentworth not sponsoring the sport. However, he went on to have a stellar baseball career for the Leopards as a two-time All-CCC honoree, was the 2006 CCC Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year recipient and also ranks among the career leaders in many offensive categories. Moyen graduated from Wentworth with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering Technology in 2006 and has served as an assistant baseball coach since graduating. As the Leopards' assistant, he serves as the first base coach, works with the offense and defense, and conducts the program's in-season conditioning during practices.

Moyen, who was inducted into Wentworth's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012, has seen his passion for running resurface in recent years as he has competed in Tough Mudders and other obstacle course races designed to test all around strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie.

"Coach Moyen has done a tremendous job with this program in a very short amount of time," said Ayres. "I look forward to supporting his endeavors in making the Wentworth's men's cross country program a contender in our conference and beyond."

A native of Franconia, N.H., and Moyen's assistant this past fall, Colongeli was a collegiate soccer player at St. Michael's College, where he graduated from with a Bachelor's degree in business administration in 2008. He picked up running upon graduating from college and since then has competed in eight marathons, a number of half marathons, and a lengthy list of shorter distance races (5k, 10k, 10 mile) to date. Of the eight marathons he has run, he had a personal best of 3:18:00 at the 2009 Chicago Marathon and ran the 2012 BAA Half Marathon in a personal best time of 1:31:00.

Recently he captained a team of six runners at the New Hampshire Reach the Beach Relay, in which they covered 205 miles in 28:07:00 (8:13/mile average). Colongeli's individual contribution to this race was 43 miles at an average pace of 7:11 per mile.

Additionally, Cologeli has had the opportunity to train many friends and family members through their first marathons and other distances over the course of his own training.

"Chris has been a great addition to the coaching staff," said Moyen. "His commitment, enthusiasm and knowledge for the sport are invaluable."

With the addition of men's cross country, Wentworth will now sponsor 16 varsity sports. The Leopards presently compete in nine male sports (baseball, basketball, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, tennis, and volleyball) and six female sports (basketball, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball). This will be the second stint for men's cross country as a varsity sport as the team also competed from 1987-1991.

"As a coach at the collegiate level it is important to understand that student-athletes are students first and athletes second," said Moyen. "In turn I truly believe that the commitment required to participate at this level enhances the academic experience, teaches vital lessons and builds bonds that last a lifetime."

TRANSACTION LINE
WENTWORTH INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY:  Announced the addition of men's cross country as a varsity sport, effective with the 2014-2015 academic year; named Matt Moyen head coach and Chris Colongeli assistant coach