KANSAS CITY, Mo.— The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) released its final edition of the 2025 NAIA Men's Cross Country Coaches' Top 25 late Tuesday afternoon. Coming off a runner-up performance at last week's Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Men's Cross Country Championship, the Montreat College Cavaliers are receiving votes in the latest ratings. This marks the 38^th consecutive poll in which the Cavs are nationally recognized.
 
Registering 75 points in the voting process, the Cavaliers appeared 22 points ahead of No. 29 Mount Mercy (Iowa) but 10 points back of 27^th-rated Dordt (Iowa).
 
Montreat's most recent performance came at Sequoyah Park in Knoxville, Tenn. as part of the AAC Championships. Thanks to a powerful one-two punch, the Cavaliers managed to conclude as the conference's runner-up. Overall, the Cavs picked up 54 points during the meet.
 
Ryan Stade led all runners across the finish line with his personal-best time of 24:37.44. Not only did Stade win AAC Runner of the Year for his showing, but he also became the first Montreat College men's cross country runner to claim the league's individual title. Stade's teammate, Brock Lauer, placed second at the AAC Championships. The pair garnered First Team All-AAC status following their one-two finish. Meanwhile, Elijah Eppley and Hugo Petat-Hemono landed on the AAC All-Freshmen Team.
 
For a look at the entire 2025 NAIA Men's Cross Country Top 25, click here.
 
As the AAC runner-up, the Montreat College men's cross country team secured an automatic bid to the 2025 NAIA Cross Country Championships. The meet, which is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 21 at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Fla., marks the Cavaliers' eighth straight team appearance at nationals.