Men’s XC ranked No. 3 in latest NAIA Top 25

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (October 12, 2023) – The Milligan University men's cross country team ranks No. 3 in the final regular season edition of the NAIA Top 25 Coaches' Poll.

The Buffs received one first-place vote and sit third behind Indiana Wesleyan and The Master's. Milligan has been featured in the NAIA top 10 for the last 19 polls.

The Buffs had an impressive showing at the Royals Cross Country Challenge at MCAlpine Greenway Park in Charlotte last Friday. Milligan won the 30-team gold 8k with a team score of 52 points. The Buffs defeated five NCAA Division I teams, including Wake Forest as well as NCAA Division II No. 3 Wingate and NAIA No. 7 Cumberlands.

Will Stockley was the individual champion of the 275-man 8k with a time of 24:30. He was named the Appalachian Athletic Conference Runner of the Week and the M-F Athletics Men's NAIA National Athlete of the Week for his performance.

Aaron Jones and Bryn Woodall joined Stockley in the top 10. Jones was third in 24:38 and Woodall placed sixth in 24:51. Zimri Kuhn crossed 23rd in 25:20 and Bryson Lewis completed Milligan's scoring five in 35th (25:38).

The Buffs also captured the blue 8k team and individual titles with Arran Kearney winning the race in 26:01.

Milligan returns to action at the NAIA Appalachian Challenge next Friday.