TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— Competing at nationals for the eighth consecutive year, the Montreat College men's cross country team ran on Friday at the 2025 NAIA Cross Country Championship at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Fla. In the 70^th annual edition of the national meet, the Cavaliers picked up two NAIA All-American nods en route to a 21^st-place finish out of 37 squads.
 
The Cavaliers totaled 490 points in the meet. They finished eight points behind the 20^th-place Doane University Tigers. Spring Arbor University placed four points behind the Cavs in 22^nd. Indiana Wesleyan University captured the team championship with 117 points.
 
Pacing Montreat across the 8k distance, Ryan Stade ended 19^th among all runners. A native of Marysville, Kan., Stade made a late charge to garner All-American honors with his time of 24:56.4.
 
"I managed to come through at the end and pick off five guys to get 19^th," Stade said.
 
Behind him, Brock Lauer finished in 26^th, also earning NAIA All-American status with his effort of 25:06.7. Upon crossing the finish line, he dove forward in a front flip, securing an extra position before the stripe.
 
"I had to assume the guy in front of me was 40^th, and I'd rather die on the course than finish 41^st," Lauer added.
 
The pair of Cavs etched their names as the second and third ever All-Americans in Montreat men's cross country history, joining three-time All-American Ethan Stamey.
 
Behind the history makers, Philip Riddle placed 173^rd with a time of 26:29.3. Hugo Petat-Hemono finished his race in 184^th. The Frenchman completed the race in 26:31.6. Elijah Eppley concluded his day in 218^th by clocking in at 26.49.3.
 
Matthew Morin was 293^rd. The Devers, Texas native finished with a mark of 28:44.0. Ronald Way did not finish the event. The junior was able to race through the first six kilometers but withdrew due to an injury.
 
"The men's team went into today knowing they were much better than our rankings, and we proved it while not at full strength," said head coach Rylan Hincher. "We had some guys that really wanted to do it for the team today. They raced so hard for the teammate next to them. It just speaks to how strong this culture is and where we're going with the program."
 
For the complete list of results from the 2025 NAIA Cross Country Championship, click here.
 
With the national championship meet officially in the rearview mirror, the Montreat College men's cross country team now turns its attention toward the 2026 indoor track & field schedule.