By Daniel Branley
Staff Writer
The Bryan College Cross Country team secured 10th place in the NAIA National Championships on Saturday, equaling the program’s second-best finish to a season.
The meet was held at the Rim Rock Farm Course that is home to the Kansas State University cross country team and is considered to be one of the most challenging courses in the country.
Leading the Lions was Senior Anthony Simpson who recorded a time of 24:55 and earned a 15th-place finish and the honor of All American for the second time in his college career.
Junior Connor Hatfield came in second for the Lions, just 2 seconds shy of a coveted All American spot for the lions with a time of 25:12, placing him in 32nd. Senior Alex Stephens came in third for the Lions securing a time of 25:29 which was good enough to place him 52nd.
Finishing the scoring for the Lions were senior Jason McLeod with a time of 25:55, freshman Tyler Boone in 26:29, junior Madison Yates in 27:06 and sophomore Jacob Shelton in 27:27.
Head Coach Bryson Harper said about the race, “I thought they ran very well. It was a very challenging course cold conditions, and they proved just how tough they are. At a National Championship, everyone comes to compete and lay it on the line. For those Lions to compete like they did and come out 10th in the nation is a testament to their hard work and consistent effort towards success. A truly great team lives and breathes excellence, and I think that these young men do that. They live their lives to glorify God through the gifts He has given them; to do anything less is a disservice. I am proud of their accomplishments and glad they were able to enjoy that experience.”
The Lions will now enjoy a short break from the track and will then begin training for spring semester’s indoor track season.
