AAC Releases 2023 Men's Cross Country Runners to Watch List
August 30, 2023
WALESKA, Ga. - The 2023 Men's Cross Country Runners to Watch List is out, the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) announced on Wednesday.
Conference coaches each could submit up to three student-athletes who they anticipate will have an impact on their team this season.
There are several All-AAC honorees as well as a few newcomers. There are a few NAIA All-Americans returning as well as several national qualifiers. There are a few newcomers with the potential to help push the pack.
Here is the entire Players to Watch List.
| School | Name | Class | 2022 Top Times/Accomplishments | Reason to Watch |
| Bryan | Zach Sever | Junior | 26:14 | 2-time Cross Country Nationals qualifier |
| Bryan | Edimo Nintereste | Freshman | Ran unattached; 25:26 (8K) | Potential national qualifier |
| Bryan | Eli Moran | Freshman | Ran unattached; 26:15 (8K) | Another potential national qualifier |
| Columbia | Kaden Reeder | Sophomore | AAC All-Freshmen Team | Improved his times in workout and increased mileage load |
| Columbia | Dorde Racic | Junior | N/A | Increaded mileage to tran for the NAIA Marathon Championship |
| CIU | Gavin Barfield | Junior | 27:17 at the Akiah McMillan Invite | Now understands how to compete in college; training smarter |
| CIU | Josh Zhang | Junior | 30:04 at AAC Championship Meet | Trained at NAU running high mileage with high quality |
| CIU | Joey Canning | Freshman | N/A | Comes in as a top runner in South Carolina; consistently runningh high mileage |
| Milligan | Aaron Jones | Senior | 23:55 (8K best); 3rd at AAC Championship Meet | 4th at the NAIA Cross Country Championship Meet in 2022 |
| Milligan | Will Stockley | Grad Student | 24:08 (8K best); 2nd at AAC Championship Meet | 9th at the NAIA Cross Country Championship Meet in 2022 |
| Milligan | Bryn Woodall | Junior | 24:28 (8K best); Won AAC Championship Meet | 19th at the NAIA Cross Country Championship Meet in 2022 |
| Montreat | Dylan Branch | Senior | 24:23 (8K); First Team All-AAC | 4-time All-AAC; 4-time NAIA qualifier |
| Montreat | Ethan Stamey | Junior | 24:34 (8K); First Team All-AAC | 2021 NAIA All-American |
| Montreat | Nathan Stamey | Junior | 24:56 (8K); First Team All-AAC | Had a breakout year in 2022 |
| Reinhardt | Salvador Castillo | Senior | Second Team All-AAC; NAIA qualifier | A top-15 runner in the AAC in 2022 |
| Reinhardt | Tom Vincent | Junior | 26:12 (8K); NAIA qualifier | Top-25 finisher at AAC Championship Meet |
| Tennessee Wesleyan | Ray Richardson | Junior | 25:21 at the NAIA Appalachian Challenge | Transfer with NCAA DII experience |
| Tennessee Wesleyan | Mack Alas | Junior | 33:17 (10K) | Continually getting better each year |
| Tennessee Wesleyan | Caleb Greene | Sophomore | 26:43 at NAIA Appalachian Challenge | TWU's top performer in 2022 |
| Truett McConnell | Connor Morgan | Junior | 1:52 in the 800 | Transitioning from track to cross country; had an excellent offseason |