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Appalachian Athletic Conference

Men's Cross Country

Milligan Captures 2023 NAIA National Championship

Milligan Captures 2023 NAIA National Championship
Posted: Nov 17, 2023

VANCOUVER, Wash. - In one of the closest races in championship meet history, Milligan is the 2023 NAIA Men's Cross Country National Champion.

The championship meet was held on Friday at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Championship Course in Vancouver, Wash.

Milligan had three runners finish in the top 10 and a total of four to earn All-American honors in compiling a score of 93 points, five points better than second-place St. Mary (Kan.) which ended with 98.

Last year, Dordt (Iowa) won the title by 18 points over Milligan. However, the last time the race was this close was in 1986 when Adams State (Colo.) and Western State (Colo.) both finished with 78 points. No other races have been decided by 10 points or less in NAIA championship history.

This is Milligan's second men's cross country national championship in program history, having won the 2021 title previously. In all, Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) teams have won five NAIA Men's Cross Country Championships. In addition to Milligan's two, Virginia Intermont captured three, winning in 2004, 2005, and 2006.

The Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) saw another of its own place in the top 10 as Montreat finished 10th with 320 points.

Bryn Woodall of Milligan led all AAC runners with a sixth-place finish, crossing the line in 24:56.9. Teammates Aaron Jones and Will Stockley were close behind in seventh and ninth place, respectively. Jones posted a time of 24:58.5, while Stockley finished in 25:03.9.

Ethan Stamey was Montreat's top finisher, placing 17th overall with a time of 25:15.0. Bryson Lewis of Milligan completed the 8K cross in 25.31.4 to take 30th overall.

All five runners earned NAIA All-American honors.

For complete results, click here.