KINGSPORT, Tenn.— The Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) revealed its final 2024-25 Duard Walker All-Sports Trophy Standings Tuesday evening, and the Montreat College Athletics Department found itself in a familiar spot. According to the release, the Cavaliers flexed their well-rounded consistency and dedication to excellence with a third consecutive fourth-place finish.
 
Despite Hurricane Helene ending or significantly impacting seasons throughout 2024-25, Montreat still managed to rack up 268.17 points in the NAIA's largest conference. Milligan University won the AAC Duard Walker All-Sports Trophy with 406 points, while Reinhardt University concluded as runner-up with 400 points. Tennessee Wesleyan University (third; 286 points) and Truett McConnell University (fifth; 228.17 points) joined the Cavs inside the top five.
 
Institutions earned points based on their teams' regular season finishes, unless the given sport only hosted a championship event (e.g., cross country, track & field, swimming & diving). Points were assigned as follows: first place received 30 points, second place received 25 points, third place received 20 points, fourth place received 15 points, fifth place received 12 points, sixth place received 11 points, seventh place received 10 points, eighth place received nine points, ninth place received eight points, 10^th place received seven points, 11^th place received six points, 12^th place received five points, 13^th place received four points, 14^th place received three points, 15^th place received two points and 16^th place received one point. In the event of a tie, the points were shared (e.g., two teams tying for first place each received 27.5 points).
 
While the Cavs finished fourth overall in the AAC Duard Walker All-Sports Trophy Standings, they accrued the third-most points on the women's side. Montreat captured the league's indoor track & field title, as well as runner-up efforts in cross country and outdoor track & field. In total, the Cavalier women secured 147.67 of the institution's 268.17 points.
 
On the men's side, Montreat snagged 120.5 points, sixth-most out of 15 institutions. A pair of runner-up placements in cross country and indoor track & field led the way for the Cavs.
 
The AAC Duard Walker All-Sports Trophy was established as a way of recognizing member institutions with the most successful all-around athletics department for the year. Member colleges compete in 24 sports. On the men's side, that list includes baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, indoor track & field, outdoor track & field, volleyball and wrestling. On the women's side, it includes basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, indoor track & field, outdoor track & field and volleyball.
 
The trophy was named the Duard Walker All-Sports Trophy in 2000 in honor of Coach Duard Walker, who retired that year after 50 years of service to Milligan as a teacher, coach and athletics director. Walker was named the NAIA Athletics Director of the Year for 2001. He was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 2008.
 
For a look at the entire 2024-25 AAC Duard Walker All-Sports Trophy Standings, click here.