Eagles Use the NAIA Appalachian Challenge to Prepare for the AAC Championships

Knoxville, TN - Eagles Cross Country had their final regular season meet on Friday at the NAIA Appalachian Challenge hosted by Tennessee Wesleyan University. This was the final warm-up before the team heads into the postseason AAC Championship and the NAIA Nationals for those that qualify.

Running for the Women's Team in the 5k event were Brooke Simon, freshman Sara James, Sarah Timmerman, and MaLeah Heath. Brooke Simon led the way for the Eagles running a 20:49 5k, which was her best time of the 2023 season. Her average mile was 6:42.

Following Simon was James who ran a 22:03 with a 7:06 average per mile time. Sarah Timmerman ran her best time of the season with a 26:11 5k and sophomore MaLeah Heath was not far behind running a 28:22.

On the Men's side, freshman Braniff Mahoney hit the #4 best time of any Reinhardt freshman with a 26:29 8k.  His mile average was 5:19.  Following Mahoney was Braden Ray with a time of 27:17.

Arat Joanico hit his season-best time of 28:16 and a 5:41 mile average. Freshman Noah Jones was not far behind with a time of 30:22.

The Eagles will have two weeks to prepare for the AAC Championships which will take place on Friday, November 3rd.  The top runners on the Men's and Women's sides will qualify for the NAIA Championships on Friday, November 17th.