Men's Cross Country

Men's Cross Country Runners to Watch

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Below are the Southern States Athletic Conference Runners to Watch for the 2026-27 men's cross country season.

The 2026 SSAC Men's Cross Country Championship takes place November 6 at the Choctaw Trails in Jackson, Mississippi.

  		• Dillon Yarberry
    Fr., Nicholls, Ga.
    • Hit record mileage this summer and continuously sets new targets
    • Standout at Coffee County High School
    		Gambler Dollar
    Fr., Bainbridge, Ga.
    • Leader on and off the course
    • Served as team captain for swim and cross country
  		• Javien Butts
    Fr., Albany, Ga.
    • Competed on multiple athletic teams in high school
    • 2027 Albany Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year
    		Cesar Posada
    Fr., Leander, Texas
    • Placed 36th in the UIL District 25-5A 5K
    • Best 5K time is 17:14
  		• Jonah Barnhardt
    Jr., Clinton, Miss.
    • First Team All-Conference and NAIA Nationals qualifier
    • Finished fourth at conference with a personal-best time of 26:07.25
    		Lukas Dykes
    Sr., Tupelo, Miss.
    • Three-time All-Conference honoree
    • Finished 10th in last year's SSAC Championship
  		• Eathyn Davis
    Fr., Rockmart, Ga.
    • Best 5K time of 18:09.44
    • Finished seventh in the GHSA in 800m
    		Brendan McMillan
    Fr., Stockbridge, Ga.
    • Best 5K time in high school was 18:12.6
    • Improved his 5K time by nearly three minutes over high school career
  		• Kayden Pierce
    Fr., Town Creek, Ala.
    • Finished second at state with 18:48
    • Started running varsity in seventh grade
    		Chase Lawson
    Jr., Killen, Ala.
    • Transfer from Northwest-Shoals CC
    • Best time in college is 27:25.6
  		• Jace Luckoski
    Sr., Belle Chasse, La.
    • Top returning finisher from last year, finishing in eighth place
    • Two-time All-Conference and school record holder in two track events
    		Jacob Kennedy
    Sr., Walker, La.
    • Three-time Second Team All-Conference honoree
    • School record in the 8K with a time of 25:34
  		• Cooper Osmus
    Fr., Johnstown, Colo.
    • Personal bests in high school include 16:00 in 5K, 4:14 mile and 1:59.08 800m
    • Flew planes before he could drive
    		William Givens
    Sr., Montgomery, Ala.
    • 8K personal best is a 26:30
    • Graduating in the spring with B.A. in Philosophy; Biblical Studies, English and Church History
  		• Glenn Walker
    So., Indian Springs, Nev.
    • Season-best mark of 29:44 at conference championship last year
    • Finished in the top 50 at SSAC Championship
    		Nelson Lopez
    Jr., Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.
    • Recorded his best time of 2025 at conference championship last year
    • Scored in both indoor and outdoor track championships
  		• Frank Kipruto
    So., Eldoret, Kenya
    • SSAC Runner of the Year last season
    • National qualifier in the 10K and was SSAC Track Athlete of the Year
    		Bruno Villazon
    Jr., Santander City, Spain
    • 2024 SSAC Conference Runner of the Year
    • Returning from season ending accident last year
  		• Matthew McGuire
    Jr., Hattiesburg, Miss.
    • Finished third at SSAC Championship last season
    • NAIA National Qualifier
    		Luke Skinner
    Jr., Hattiesburg, Miss.
    • Personal best 8K time of 25:51.8
    • Finished just outside the top 30 at SSAC Championships last year
  		• Benjamin Ford
    So., Glen Allen, Va.
    • Placed 18th at the RRAC Championship last year
    • Silver medalist in the RRAC 5K in outdoor track
    		Kamal Webb
    So., Baltimore, Md.
    • Making his college debut in cross country
    • Medaled in the RRAC 4x800 and 4x400 races