Spartans Claim AMC Title for Second Year in a Row

COLUMBIA, Mo.- For the second year in a row, Missouri Baptist University Men's Cross Country are the American Midwest Conference Champions, claiming the programs fifth AMC title. The Spartans have earned the conference's automatic bid to the 2022 NAIA Men's Cross Country National Championships on Nov. 18 in Tallahassee, Fla.

With three top-ten finishers and a total of 38 points, the Spartans were able to beat out their competition and secure first place ahead of Columbia College who earned 45 points. Other top five teams include William Woods in third with 49 points, Hannibal-LaGrange in fourth with 100 points and Lyon in fifth with 150 points
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It was tough competition among the top five runners, all hovering around each other trying to pull ahead. Donovan Denslow was successful in overcoming all of his competitors except Alexander Dukes from Columbia College who was able to pull away at the very end. Denslow finished the race in second place with a time of 25:55.48.

Wyatt Elliott and David Fletcher, who have performed very well this season, are the other top-ten finishers for the Spartans. Wyatt Elliot came in fourth place clocking in a time of 26:19.36, just seconds behind 3^rd place participant, Carter Brocato with Columbia College. David Fletcher came in 7^th with a time of 27:03.66 setting a new personal record.

Another new PR came from freshman, Ethan Bliss who finished in 13^thwith a time of 27:40.24, right behind Jordan Crawford who placed 12^th, clocking in at 27:34.86.

The Spartans weren't short on awards this year. Along with their conference title, they had three First Team All-Conference runners (Denslow, Elliott, Fletcher) and Coaching Staff of the Year. Fletcher was also named to the 2022 AMC Champions of Character Team for MBU. Columbia claimed Runner of the Year award (Alexander Dukes) as well as Freshman of the Year (Will Cherrington). Newcomer of the Year was Jenson Starr with William Woods.

AMC Men's Cross Country Final Team Standings