The Bob Jones University Bruins men’s cross-country team continued their dominance at the NCCAA National Championships, capturing their ninth consecutive title.
This feat capped off a season that was filled with a multitude of team achievements, as well as individual accomplishments. The NCCAA Cross Country Championships were held in Warsaw, Indiana, on Nov. 15.
The team’s performance was led by strong finishes from senior Evan Seaman and graduate student Trenton Goldsmith. These two were the first to cross the finish line for the Bruins with Seaman finishing fourth overall with a time of 27:43 and Goldsmith finishing seventh with a time of 28:22. This pair of runners were also All-Americans for the Bruins this season, but Head Coach Ken Roach made it clear that “each runner and all the Bruins fans that showed up today were key in the victory.”
The Bruins also excelled off the course, with four student-athletes—Trenton Goldsmith, Evan Seaman, Marc Johnson and Levi Gerbitz—earning NCCAA Scholar-Athlete honors. These awards recognize athletes with a GPA of 3.4 or higher who are juniors, seniors or graduate students. “I am thankful we have Bruins men’s cross country claims 9th straight NCCAA national title these quality individuals in this program,” Roach said, praising their commitment to both academics and athletics.
While this season was a success, the BJU men’s cross-country team is looking to stay hungry going into next season, keeping their sights on a tenth straight NCCAA national title. Above all, the Bruins aim to continue glorifying God through their competitive efforts out on the course. When asked about what this title means to him, Coach Roach said, “We acknowledge this race as a chance to place God above all things like a trophy. We have these moments only by His grace and the gifts that He gives these athletes.”
The Bruins cross country success also extended to their leadership, as Roach was named NCCAA National Coach of the Year for the fourth time in his career.
This season marked another chapter in the Bruins’ legacy of excellence, with dedication, talent and faith defining the program. As the Bruins cross country team looks ahead to next season, supporters can expect the same dedication and camaraderie as they seek their tenth consecutive NCCAA National Championship.
