KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Last fall, it was the Missouri Baptist University women's cross country team that made its way into the national picture for the first time in four years by receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll. With their recent performances at the Illinois Wesleyan Titan Opener and the Columbia College Larry Young Invitational, the Spartan men are on the minds of national raters.
 
On Thursday, the Missouri Baptist men received votes in the latest NAIA Men's Cross Country Coaches' Top 25 Poll, totaling six points in the rankings. Fellow AMC member William Woods, which finished ahead of the Spartans at the Larry Young Invitational, was also receiving votes with 26 points and seven spots outside of the Top 25.
 
It's been a long time comin' for the Missouri Baptist men, who last entered the national conversation nearly 15 years ago. To be exact, the last time that MBU received votes in the Men's Cross Country Top 25 Poll was November 5, 2007. That same year, the Spartans were ranked in four separate voting periods and cracked the Top 10 at No. 8 early in the season.
 
The next chance for MoBap to shine and measure up against Top-25 competition will be at the Mount Mercy University Seminole Valley Stampede on Saturday, Oct. 9.