Hunter Qualifies for NAIA Championships, Makes SMC Cross Country History

Junior Ryan Hunter of the Spartanburg Methodist College men’s cross country team etched his name into the program’s history books with a standout performance at the 2025 Appalachian Athletic Conference Championships.

Hunter finished eighth overall, covering the 8K course at Sequoyah Park in a time of 25:25.95. His top-10 finish earned him Second Team All-Conference honors and secured a berth to the 2025 NAIA Cross Country National Championships, scheduled for November 21 at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Florida. He becomes the first individual in program history to qualify for the national championship in cross country.

Freshman Dante Hudnall was the next Pioneer across the line, placing 47th with a time of 28:21.44. Sophomore Omarion Ocampo-Rios followed with a season-best 29:22.19 to take 56th, while freshman Jack MacDonald placed 58th in 29:59.19.

Rounding out the SMC lineup were freshman Matthew Radford (65th, 30:52.44), sophomore Dylan Seppala (68th, 31:08.94), and junior Steven Strange (74th, 31:53.45).

No. 8 Milligan claimed the team title with five runners finishing in the top nine. No. 23 Montreat finished second, led by individual champion Ryan Stade, who crossed the line in 24:37.44.