MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Below are the Southern States Athletic Conference Runners to Watch for the 2025 men's cross country season.
Each team selected one newcomer and one returner to feature. Teams start regular season competition this weekend, with the SSAC Championship set for Nov. 7 at Oakville Indian Mounds Park.
Abraham Baldwin
Returner
Sergio Martinez
SO
-2nd year team captain
-You'll never see him without a smile!
Newcomer
Clifford-Ine Hull-Cooper
FR
-Quiet but fierce
-Cross Country "runs" in his family
Blue Mountain Christian
Returner
Lukas Dykes
JR
-Lukas is hungry to make nationals. He missed it by one second last year.
-He had a great offseason and is prepared for a strong finish this year.
Newcomer
Daniel Äikäs?
JR, Lindsey Wilson
-Daniel is a transfer and is a great pickup for our team.
-We are excited for what he can bring to the team this season.
Brewton-Parker Christian
Returner
Eric Smith
Dublin, Ga., SR
-Last XC season
-Is ready to have big PR's
-Two-time qualifier for the NAIA Marathon Championship and training for 2025 NAIA Marathon National Championship
Newcomer
Trey Sirmans
-Great attitude
-Will contribute to the team immediately.
-Strength is middle distance
Faulkner
Returner
Brodie Moore
SO
-Broke program record for highest SSAC Championship individual time
-4 of top 5 program-best all-distance paces, 3 of top 4 best overall highest program percentages
-Two highest 8K and 5K individual times in program history, 2 of top 3 best finish percentages
Newcomer
David Robles
JR, Wallace State Community College – Hanceville
-Helped lead Wallace-Hanceville to back-to-back ACCC Region 22 championships in '22 & '23 with 6th and 3rd place finishes
Loyola
Returner
Jacob Kennedy
JR, Walker, La.
-All-Conference honors in 2024 with a 14th-place finish at the SSAC Championship
-Ran program-best 8K time of 25:34.2 at the Watson Collegiate XC Classic
Newcomer
Aubrey Gibson
FR, Beach City, Texas
-Texas State Championship qualifier in 2024
-Multiple First-Team All-District honors
Mobile
Returner
Joey Jones
SR, Mobile, Ala.
-Joey is considered one of the leaders of the men's team
-He finished 5th at last year's SSAC Cross Country Championships with a time of
Newcomer
Peter Eckhoff
FR, Foley, Ala., Foley High School
-Ran a 1700.01 in the AHSAA XC State Championship 5000 meter
Thomas
Returner
Landon Watts
SR, Bainbridge, Ga.
-Landon has been a member of the Thomas Cross Country team for the past 3 years. Last year he had several great races and will be a leader for the team his senior year.
Newcomer
Glenn Walker
FR, Indian Springs, Nev.
-Glenn participated in cross country all four years in high school. Glenn will make an immediate impact for us this fall.
UT Southern
Returner
Bruno Villazon
SO, Santander City, Spain
-2024 SSAC Runner of the Year.
-42nd at nationals
-After a stellar freshman year I am excited to see him repeat at conference and earn all america status
Newcomer
Frank Kipruto
FR, Eldoret, Kenya
-Transfer from the University of North Alabama
-Won the 1500 at conference and ran 1451 in the 5k
-A young and very talented individual who pushes the team and raises our standard.
William Carey
Returner
Matthew McGuire
SO, Hattiesburg, Miss.
-Dedicated leader who models the perfect example
-A humble athlete, student, and Christian
-Given enough time, no goal is out of reach for him
Newcomer
Santiago Vazquez
-So cheerful he smiles during 600 meter repeats
-If it is a challenge of who is the toughest, he is going to win
-The last one to ask for help, but the first one to give it
