Both men’s and women’s teams won first place in the National Cross Country Championships in Vancouver, Washington. Milligan is the third university to win both in the nation. The women’s team ran 5,000 meters while the men’s team ran 8,000 meters. Thirty-six men’s and women’s teams competed in the event.
Head cross country coach Chris Layne has been leading the team for 22 years. Layne described the teams training in preparation for the championships beginning in the summer.
“It starts with their summer training program and then closer to the event you’re carefully setting up the travel to account for the flight across the country and the time zone adjustment,” he said. “This course had a few hills so we added that element into our training the entire season to be prepared for that element of the event.”
Sophomore Alyssa Bearzi won the individual title with a time of 18:14, marking Bearzi’s win as the first-ever individual cross country title for Milligan.
“Winning a national championship takes an entire team and it takes that entire team to perform in unison on the day. Obviously, Alyssa and Aaron had a big impact on our wins, but we had captains that provided leadership,” said Layne.
“I think it means a great deal to see these student athletes that put the work in to make this happen,” Layne said. “I really hope these national titles mean something to the entire campus, as well as our alumni and coaches that helped pave the way for these wins.”
Sophomore Aaron Jones finished 11th overall for the men’s team with a time of 25:21.
“What I love most about running for Milligan is the team dynamic. During my recruiting process, this is ultimately what drew me to Milligan over other schools,” Jones said. “The brotherhood I have with all of the guys on the team is what makes me proud to be a Buff.”
Jones spoke to the pressure of the event adding to the stakes and to the feeling of success.
“Personally, this win means so much to me. The number one thing I wanted to do when I showed up here was bring a cross country national title home. To bring it back to Milligan University and to my hometown of Johnson City makes me feel the most accomplished that a race has ever left me feeling.”
Both the men’s and women’s teams were ranked first in the Appalachian Athletic Conference throughout the season, according to the NAIA Conference group ratings.
Headline Photo by Andy Stanko; Milligan Sports Information Office