The FDU sophomore standout took home sixth place in a field of 82 competitors at the Fordham Fiasco. He covered the 8K (4.96 miles) course in 26:19, a Van Cortlandt Park personal record for the reigning NEC Rookie of the Year. Four runners from Navy, the preseason Patriot League favorites, and one from Rider finished ahead of Gooding, who came in 24 seconds behind the winner.