Bryan College Triangle

By Kat Frazier
Staff Reporter

Most have heard about ESPN’s “World’s Strongest Man” competition, but have you heard about Men’s Fitness’ “Fit Man on Campus” competition? Bryan cross-country runner Alex Stephens is one of 16 male college students nationwide competing for the “Fit Man” title this year. His years of hard work and dedication are being exhibited at the national level as a finalist.

What is “Fit Man on Campus”?

“‘Fit Man on Campus’ is an annual competition put on by Men’s Fitness magazine. It’s a nationwide search for a male college student that could be the best representation of fitness.”

Members of the men's cross-country team compete at a conference tournament at Fort Bluff last semester. Competing in cross-country events is good training for runners who want to specialize in indoor events, according to Stoker.

Kristyn Proctor
Online Editor

Once more, the men and women track teams at Bryan proved that hard training in off-hours makes for a winning season in competition. As the indoor track season came to a close at the NAIA Track and Field Championships, four Lions walked away with All-American honors, including fifth-time All-American senior Bryson Harper (Pikeville, Tenn.) who set a new school record for the men’s mile at 4:08.47.

“He’s had a good run,” Coach Rodney Stoker said, referring to Harper’s impressive college career. “I think he’ll finish well and make his team proud.”

The other three runners honored include junior Jason McLeod (Ocoee, Fla.), sophomore Alex Stephens (Cleveland, Tenn.), and surprisingly a freshman Connor Hatfield (Morristown, Tenn.), who set a men’s school record for the 5000 meter race with a time of 15:01.97.

“The kids keep getting better and better,” Stoker said. “But you always want them to do their best, push to be the best they can possibly be. Of course, we really wanted to do better in the relay, but they have all worked hard and I’m proud of them.”

With the indoor season behind them, Stoker says they now look to the future outdoor season with high hopes and a commitment to training in the on and off hours. Read full story »

Shane Vicry
Triangle Writer

Our Bryan College men’s and women’s cross country teams have wrapped up another fantastic fall season. The school had the privilege of hosting the AAC Championship meet for the first time this year at nearby Fort Bluff Camp (Dayton Mtn.) seeing great success. The guys won their third consecutive AAC crown while the girls had a strong runner-up finish as well.

Read full story »

Runners positioned at the starting line prepare for a race at this past weekends AAC Cross Country Championship at Fort Bluff Camp in Dayton / Photo courtesy of Jordana Bollant

Jesse Murray
Senior Reporter

There was more going on last weekend than the LSU vs. Alabama game. Up at Fort Bluff Camp on Dayton Mountain, Bryan’s men and women’s cross country teams faced off against their foes in the 2011 AAC Cross Country Championship. It was the Lions first time hosting the tournament.

The men’s team took the title on Saturday for the third time running. It’s the Lions fourth cross country championship in the past five years. The women’s team took second place behind Milligan College.

“It has been a great experience to win four team titles as a Lion,” said senior Bryson Harper. “The past three in a row have been pretty special as well, and it is a beginning of a streak that I hope continues years down the road.” Read full story »

Senior Bryson Harper has had quite the run as one of the stars of Bryan College's cross-country team.

Jesse Murray
Senior Reporter

Bryan’s cross country team is ranked 12^th in the nation now. It’s no surprise. The boys are fast and dedicated to excellence. They eat differently, sleep differently, drink differently, and do just about everything differently. Lifestyles like that give rise to runners like Bryson Harper. Lifestyles like that give rise to leaders like Bryson Harper.

This is Harper’s fifth year at Bryan. He’s from Pikeville, Tenn., right on the other side of Dayton Mountain. He’s about to turn 23. He is twice an All-American with a third on the way. He’s a great runner, but that’s just surface stuff. There’s more to him, just like there’s more to every athlete at this school than most of us get to see. That’s the tragedy of it. Read full story »