KANSAS CITY, Mo. — For the 41^st consecutive ratings release, the Montreat College men's cross country team picked up votes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Men's Cross Country Coaches' Top 25. According to an announcement from the national office on Thursday morning, the Cavaliers corralled 65 points, 27^th-most overall and second-highest among programs garnering the 'receiving votes' designation.
 
Montreat landed 23 points shy of Columbia (Mo.) and 29 points ahead of Aquinas (Mich.) in the voting process. Milligan (Tenn.) led all Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) programs at No. 12 with 346 points. Cumberlands (Ky.) secured all 19 first-place votes and 559 points to sit atop the ratings.
 
Most recently, the Cavaliers participated at the Tryon Western NC XC Showcase on Sept. 25. Running in Mill Spring, N.C., Montreat concluded fifth out of 14 programs and trailed only NCAA Division I squads. The Cavaliers finished ahead of three DI teams at the meet. Angel Cruz wrapped up his 8k in fifth place among a 123-athlete field, crossing the final line in 26:07.6. As the top non-Division I competitor, Cruz came away with his second AAC Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week nod through just two races.
 
For a complete look at the latest 2026 NAIA Men's Cross Country Coaches' Top 25, click here.
 
The Montreat College men's cross country team returns to action tomorrow in Charlotte, N.C., for the Royals Cross Country Challenge, hosted by Queens University of Charlotte. The race is scheduled to begin at 5:45 p.m.