Bryn Woodall sets 8k record for No. 3 MXC at NAIA Appalachian Challenge

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (October 20, 2023) – Bryn Woodall set Milligan University's men's cross country 8k record and the No. 3 Buffs captured the team title at the NAIA Appalachian Challenge on Friday morning at Sequoyah Park in Knoxville.

The Buffs had four top-10 individuals and seven top-25 finishers. Milligan topped the 19-team standings with a team score of 42 points, 11 points ahead of second-place No. 10 Montreat. Huntington, who received votes in the latest round of national rankings, finished third at 95 points.

"I really felt good about where we were coming into this meet and then we had a little bit of the sickness bug hit us in a few spots, but they didn't let that impact their performance at all today," said head coach Chris Layne. "We really hadn't had good conditions until today and love how they responded and took advantage of a great environment."

Woodall collected his second career victory with a program-best 23:49 8k. He topped a field of 180 runners and bested Milligan's previous 8k standard by six seconds.

"That's a big run from Bryn today," said Layne. "We've had three different guys lead us this year and I think that speaks to the talent in this crew - somebody is always there to step up."

Aaron Jones finished third in 24:05 and Will Stockley followed fifth in 24:12 as both runners posted season-best times.

Zimri Kuhn crossed 10th in a personal-best time of 25:01. Sylas Chambers completed Milligan's scoring five with a PB of 25:35 to finish 23rd.

Bryson Lewis followed in 24th (25:37) and Alex Brittain was 25th in 25:39. Josh Hale (28th, 25:49) and Keaton Hincher (32nd, 25:55) also recorded personal records.

The Buffs return to Sequoyah Park for the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championships in two weeks.