National championship cross country teams honored with state proclamations

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 14, 2022) – The Milligan University men's and women's cross country teams received a special proclamation by the Tennessee House of Representatives in Nashville on Monday evening. The Buffs won the first two NAIA National Championships in program history when they swept the 2021 NAIA cross country team championships in the fall.

Sixteen members of the championships teams who made the trip to Vancouver, Washington in November made the trip to the state capitol to receive the honor. The Buffs met with Tennessee governor Bill Lee and state representative Rebecca Alexander, a Milligan alumna.

"It was such an honor to have Milligan University and our student-athletes recognized in this manner - this was certainly a special day for our program," said head coach Chris Layne. "We're extremely grateful to Rep. Rebecca Alexander, Governor Bill Lee and everyone at the state capitol for the hospitality we were shown during our time in Nashville"

At the 2021 NAIA National Championships, Milligan's cross country teams became the first in school history to claim NAIA team titles. The Buffs became the third program in history to sweep both men's and women's national titles in the same year.

The men's cross country team won Milligan's first-ever national championship with a team score of 115, 60 spots ahead of second place. Aaron Jones, Nathan Baker, Eli Cramer and Will Stockley earned All-America status as top 40 finishers and Jake Crow rounded out the Buffs' top five to clinch the national title.

In the women's race, sophomore Alyssa Bearzi became the first individual cross country national champion in school history as she crossed the finish line in 18:14. She was joined by All-Americans Lemi Wutz and Avery DeWolf Burton, who finished fifth and 11th, respectively. Caitlin Dominy and Gracie Allen rounded out the Buffs' scoring five as Milligan's team score of 122 captured the national championship. Layne claimed NAIA and USTFCCCA National Coach of the Year honors.