NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The annual Yale cross country banquet is a chance to celebrate the success of the Bulldogs over the course of the season. It also gives an opportunity for the changing of leadership positions for the next year. Following a team vote, the 2024 men's cross country captain Varun Oberai handed his role off to Braden King for the 2025 cross country season. King has been an exemplary teammate in his time at Yale. That, combined with his excellent results, made him a popular choice for his new role.

King has demonstrated his dedication throughout his Yale career, as his journey often hasn't been straightforward. He has battled back from injury to be a consistent scoring member of the team. King balanced this summer working a job alongside his training. This multitasking ability is an excellent quality and something that will be invaluable as he leads the team next year.

King opened up his season late after fighting back from injury. He showed his leadership in his opening race, where he led home the Bulldogs at the IC4A Championships, placing 26th. It was a day in which he motivated the younger runners and showed an exemplary attitude on and off the course. This performance was enough for King to travel to Heps, where he set a new 8k PR of 24:16 to place 39th. Following this King made the Northeast Regionals squad and tested his strength over 10k, running a PR on a day where the Bulldogs achieved their best team finish since 2004.

King looks forward to continuing the strong team culture the Bulldogs have.

King, who graduated from Jesuit High School in 2022 and captained the track and field team there, now returns to a leadership position as he captains the Bulldogs for the 2025 season.