KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The men's cross country program at Shawnee State opened the 2025 season nestled in a familiar pace -- inside the NAIA Men's Cross Country Prseason Coaches' Top 25 Poll -- as the Bears claimed 107 points in the first NAIA National ranking of 2025 to sit in 24th nationally as announced by NAIA national officials Thursday afternoon.

The Bears, who claimed 107 points, bettered River States Conference foe Rio Grande by seven points to claim the 24th spot -- as the duo rounded out the NAIA National Top 25.

The Master's (Calif.), with 496 points, currently heads up the poll in a tight race that sees second-place Milligan (Tenn.) just 10 points back at 486. Taylor (Ind.) edged Cumberlands (Ky.) by six markers -- 471 to 465 -- for third, while Marian (Ind.) rounded out the top-five overall with 421 points.

Overall, Shawnee State returns each of the Lanoy triplets -- Isaiah, Kaiden and Trevor -- who all finished in the top-120 nationally at the 2024 NAIA Men's Cross Country National Championships in November. Jerry O'Dell, who finished 286th nationally at the event, also returns as does Connor Darnell, a promising sophomore who is expected to have a big year. Eli Lengl, a sophomore transfer who is also expected to make a great deal of noise, and Garrett Carver are among those who will contribute heavily.

Grad student Malachi Shugert, senior runner Jared Flowers, junior Rowen Lloyd, sophomore Walker Pannell and freshman talent Dakotah Sanders round out the 2025 roster.

For more information on the Shawnee State men's cross country program, visit https://ssubears.com/sports/mens-cross-country.