ELSAH, IL - Montreat College harrier Brien Lancaster (JR/Jacksonville, NC) competed in the 2016 NAIA Cross Country National Championships on Saturday, placing 67th out of 331 runners in the pinnacle event of the sport.

On a cold and windy day, Lancaster took to the rolling eight kilometer course as one of the four individual qualifiers from the Appalachian Athletic Conference. Competing at a national championship race for the first time, Lancaster fared well against the elite field, completing the race with a time of 25:47.8. Lancaster was the third AAC runner to finish, placing behind seniors Taylor Tafelsky of Milligan (30th) and AAC cross country champion Tyler Boone of Bryan (39th).

"I thought that Brien ran really well today," said head coach Jason Lewkowicz. "It is an honor to compete at the national championships but it is also challenging to do so as an individual runner after competing with your team the whole season. But he was able to channel his energy and focus and not get too caught up in the moment. He gained some valuable experience on a big stage and this should propel him to greater heights in the seasons to come."

With the cross country season now complete, the focus will shift to track & field. The Cavaliers will host the Montreat College Winter Distance Carnival on Friday, December 2  before sending a small contingent to compete at the JDL Kickoff Classic on Saturday, December 3 in Winston-Salem, NC.