Dayton, TN - The Bryan College men's cross country team has been selected as the top team in the conference after claiming the AAC title last Fall. The women were picked to finish as runners-up to mirror their finish in 2009. The preseason ranking has the Lions at 25th in the NAIA rankings after being as high as ninth one year ago. Montreat College will once again host the AAC XC Championship at their mountain campus course on November 6, 2010.
Junior Bryson Harper will lead the way for the Lions after his runner-up finish at the AAC Championship that took place in Black Mountain, NC. Seniors Zach Buffington, Josh Bradley, and Hunter Hall will be counted on to be front runners after solid track seasons. Buffington was 8th at the NAIA Outdoor Championship 10k run, while Bradley became a four-time NAIA All-American with a fourth-place showing in the 800-meter run. Hall was 21st at the same championship in the marathon. With one year of training and competition for Bryan, sophomores Jake Bradley, Jason McLeod, and Drew Thompson should add depth to the men's squad. Redshirt Freshman Alex Stephens will have an impact as well.
The ladies will be led by two juniors in Alyssia Lindsay and Ericka Simpson. Both lowered their 1500-meter and 5k best last Spring and hope to continue their success in 2010. Lindsay and Simpson were joined by sophomore Liz Olsen in qualifying as individuals for the NAIA Cross Country Championship last Fall. Sophomore Catherine Anderson and newcomer Andrea Spencer will add depth to the roster.
"We have high expectations for both programs this Fall. All of our athletes had improvements during the outdoor track season and those experiences should help us when we line up in November," commented Head Coach Rodney Stoker.
The Lions will open their season at the Berry Invitational on September 11.
