The information listed below contains records and history for the Union University men's cross country program. The program was started in 2001 and participated in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 1999 - 2011. In 2012, Union began the transition to NCAA DII. If you have addition information or question about the following information, please contact the Union sports information office at (731) 661-5027 or email saldridge@uu.edu.
Men's Records (8K)
1. 24:10 - Henry Rop, Memphis Twilight (2007)
2. 24:43 - Aaron Fynaardt, UNA Invitational (9/5/25)
3. 24:48 - Henry Rop, NAIA Nationals, Wisconsin (2007)
4. 24:57 - Justine Kipkoech, GSC Conference, Danville, AL (2017)
5. 24:59 - Henry Rop, Southeast Classic, Percy Warner Nashville (2007)
6. 25:00 - Alex Bett, NAIA Nationals, Vancouver, Wash. (2011)
7. 25:03 - Edwin Kurgat, Memphis Twilight (2010)
8. 25:12 - Henry Rop, NAIA Region XI, Percy Warner Nashville (2007)
9. 25:14 - Henry Rop, Commodore Classic, Percy Warner Nashville (2007)
10. 25:21 - Douglas Martin, NAIA Nationals, Wisconsin (2007)
11. 25:23 - Alex Bett, Union Invitational (2010)
12. 25:27Â - Justine Kipkoech, Royals Challenge, McAlpine Park (2018)
13. 25:29 - Alex Bett, Memphis Twilight (2010)
14. 25:30—Justine Kipkoech, GSC Conference, Clinton, MS (2018)
14. 25:30 - Phillip Thompson, Memphis Twilight (2006)
16. 25:31 - Edwin Kurgat, Union Invitational (2010)
17. 25:32 - Alex Bett, TranSouth Conference Meet, Union (2011)
17. 25:32 - Cornelius Kipchumba, Royals Challenge, McAlpine Park (2019)
19. 25:33 - Cornelius Kipchumba, GSC Conference, Huntsville, AL (2020)
20. 25:34 - Jacob Whitney, GSC Conference, Huntsville, AL (2016)
20: 25:34 - Douglas Martin, Memphis Twilight (2006)
22. 25:37 - John Fox, NAIA Region XI, Louisville (2006)
22. 25:37 - Will Donelson, Greater Louisville Classic (2015)
Men’s Team TimesÂ
1. 2:09:40 - Royals Challenge, McAlpine Park, 2018
2. 2:10:30 - UNA Invitational, 9/5/25
3. 2:11:30 Queens University Royal Challenge, 2019
4. 2:11:46 - Memphis Twilight Classic, 2010
5. 2:12:00 -Â Alabama in Huntsville Charger Invite, 2023
6. 2:12:56 - Alabama in Huntsville Charger Invite, 2022
7. 2:13:34 - Rhodes College Invitational, 2019
8. 2:13:37 - GSC Championship, 2018
9. 2:14:10 - Mississippi College DII Invitational, 2018
10. 2:14:32 - NCCAA National Championship, 2013
10. 2:14:39 - GSC Championship, 2017
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Season-by-Season Results and Postseason Highlights (NCAA 1960's and prior; NAIA 2001-2011; NCAA DII 2012-present; NCCAA 2012-2013)
* - not eligible for NCAA or Gulf South Conference postseason championships
 ** GSC Conference Meet moved to 6K distance in 2024
| Season |
Conference Finish |
Region Finish |
National Qualifiers |
| NCAA DII 2012-present |
| 2024Â Â Â Â |
7th Place |
|
|
| 2023 |
7th Place |
11th Place |
|
| 2022 |
8th Place    |
17th Place |
|
| 2021 |
9th Place            |
14th Place |
- |
| 2020 |
8th Place    |
- |
- |
| 2019Â Â |
6th Place |
9th Place |
- |
| 2018Â Â Â Â |
6th Place |
12th Place |
- |
| 2017Â Â Â Â Â |
9th Place |
16th Place    |
- |
| 2016Â Â |
8th Place |
13th Place |
- |
| 2015Â Â |
7th Place |
9th Place        |
- |
| 2014 |
6th Place |
10th Place |
- |
| 2013* |
7th Place |
NA |
NCCAA (Team 6th Place) |
| 2012* |
NAÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â |
NA |
NCCAA (Team 16th Place) |
| NAIA Year 2001-11 |
| 2011 |
1st Place |
NAIA eliminated region format after 2007 season
NAIA Region XI Finish |
Alex Bett (36th) |
| 2010 |
1st Place |
Team (28th Place) |
| 2009 |
1st Place |
Alex Bett (38th)
Zach Covington (180th) |
| 2008 |
1st Place |
Team (27th Place) |
| 2007 |
1st Place |
1st Place |
Team (8th Place);
All-Americans (Henry Rop-5th,
Douglas Martin-23rd) |
| 2006 |
1st Place |
2nd Place |
Douglas Martin (44th)
Phillip Thompson (134th)
John Fox (DNP) |
| 2005 |
1st Place |
3rd Place |
Phillip Thompson (149th)
John Fox (DNP) |
| 2004 |
1st Place |
3rd Place |
Phillip Thompson (179th)
Chris Winter (240th) |
| 2003 |
2nd Place |
3rd Place |
Chris Winter (176th)
Cameron Groll (211th) |
| 2002 |
2nd Place |
6th Place |
- |
| 2001 |
2nd Place |
|
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â |
|
|
|
|
TranSouth Conference Titles - 8
2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
VSAC (Volunteer State Athletic Conference) Titles - 7
1950's and 1960's
NAIA Region Titles - 1
2007
NCAA DII All-Region
2014 - Jacob Whitney, Will Donelson
2015 - Jacob Whitney, Will Donelson
2016 - Jacob Whitney, Will Donelson
2017 - Justine Kipkoech
2018 - Justine Kipkoech, Ronald Ayabei
GSC All-Decade
Jacob Whitney (2nd Team) - 2010-2019
Justine Kipkoech (2nd Team) - 2010-2019
GSC Top Ten Award
2016 - Jacob Whitney
Gulf South Conference Champion Scholar-Athlete (first year given was 2019)
2019 - Ronald Ayabei
Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Year
2017 - Justine Kipkoech
Gulf South First Team All-Conference
2014 - Jacob Whitney, Will Donelson
2015 - Jacob Whitney, Will Donelson
2016 - Jacob Whitney
2017 - Justine Kipkoech
2018 - Justine Kipkoech
Gulf South Second Team All-Conference
2016 - Will Donelson
2018 - Ronald Ayabei
2019 -Â Cornelius Kipchumba (15th) and Justine Kipkoech (18th)
2024 - Aaron Fynaardt (20th)
Gulf South Conference Academic Honor Roll
2012 - Bailey Bell, Caleb Creel, Drake Ott, Lucas Peiser
2013 - Anthony Aguinaga, Bailey Bell, Caleb Creel, Will Donelson, Jacob Whitney, Garrett Wilson
2014 - Bailey Bell, Will Donelson, Ivan David Isaacs, Daniel Regan, Jacob Whitney, Christian Winter
2015 - Bailey Bell, Will Donelson, Ivan David Isaacs, Daniel Regan, Alex Russell, Forrest White, Jacob Whitney, Christian Winter
2016 - Will Donelson, Alex Russell, Ben Noland, Forrest White, Jacob Whitney
2017 -Â Joshua Whitney, Michael Drury, Forrest White, Caleb Allen, Alex Russell, Justine Kipkoech, Derrick Kipruto
2018 - Caleb Allen, Ronald Ayabei, Michael Drury, Jaden Hunter, Forrest White, Joshua Whitney
2019 - Caleb Allen, Ronald Ayabei, Samuel Barkman, Michael Drury, Jaden Hunter, Joshua Whitney
2020 - Caleb Allen, Samuel Barkman, Michael Drury, Joshua Whitney
2021 - Joshua Whitney, Samuel Barkman, Andrew Bos, Caleb Cook, William Craig, Brandon Jordon, Ryan Keeton, Tristan Kelly, Justine Kipkoech, Micah Winn
2022 - Benjamin Blackwood, Caleb Cook, William Craig, Steven Hirte, Brandon Jordan, Ryan Keeton, Tristan Kelly, Micah Winn, Andrew Bos, Noah Mauldin
2023 - Benjamin Blackwood, Stewart Brown, Caleb Cook, William Craig, Riley Garrison, Steven Hirte, Ryan Keeton, Tristan Kelly, Tristan Kelly, Jonathan Litscher, Luke Winkleman, and Micah Winn.
Gulf South Conference All-Academic Selections
2014 - Will Donelson, Jacob Whitney
2015 - Will Donelson, Jacob Whitney
2016 - Will Donelson, Jacob Whitney
2018 - Michael Drury
D2ADA Academic Achievement Award
2011-2012 - Caleb Creel
2012-2013 - Caleb CreelÂ
2013-2014 - Bailey Bell, Christian Winter
2014-2015 - Bailey Bell, Christian Winter
2015-2016 - Bailey Bell, Will Donelson, Jacob Whitney, Christian Winter
2016-2017 - Will Donelson, Jacob Whitney
2017-2018 - Forest White, Alex Russel
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CSC (former CoSIDA) Academic All-District
2016 - Will Donelson
2017 - Will Donelson, Jacob Whitney
2018 - Forrest White
2019 - Forrest White
2023 - Ryan Keeton
USTFCCCA All-Acadmic
2015 - Will Donelson, Jacob Whitney, Bailey Bell, Forrest White
2016 - Will Donelson, Jacob Whitney
2017 - Justine Kipkoech, Forrest White
USTFCCCA Scholar Team
2014, 2015, 2016 (highest NCAA DII GPA), 2017 (4th highest NCAA DII GPA), 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022
NCCAA National Qualifiers (Team)
2012 (16th Place)
NCCAA All-American
2013 - Anthony Aguinaga
NCCAA Scholar Athletes
2012 - Caleb Creel
2013 - Caleb Creel
NCCAA Scholar Team
2013
NAIA National Qualifiers (Team)
2007 (8th Place); 2008 (27th Place); 2010 (28th Place)
Highest NAIA National Ranking
6th - 2008 Preseason Poll
NAIA National Qualifiers (Individuals)
Chris Winter - 2003, 2004
Cameron Groll - 2003
Phillip Thompson - 2004, 2005, 2006
John Fox - 2005, 2006
Douglas Martin - 2006, 2007
Zach Covington - 2009
Alex Bett - 2009, 2011
NAIA All-Americans
Henry Rop - 2007
Douglas Martin - 2007
NAIA Scholar Athletes
John Fox - 2005, 2006
Douglas Martin - 2005, 2006, 2007
Phillip Thompson - 2006, 2007
Josh Abbotoy - 2007, 2008
Seth Covington - 2008, 2009
Joel Wellum - 2010, 2011
TranSouth All-Conference
Chris Winter - 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
Cameron Groll - 2001, 2003
Clint Channell - 2004, 2006
John Fox - 2004, 2005, 2006
Chris Arnold - 2005
Phillip Thompson - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Douglas Martin - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Henry Rop - 2007
Nelphat Boit - 2007
Seth Covington - 2006, 2007, 2008
Joel Wellum - 2008
Edwin Kurgat - 2010
Drake Ott - 2009, 2011
Alex Bett - 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Zach Covington - 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
TranSouth Conference Runner of the Year
Phillip Thompson - 2004
John Fox - 2005, 2006
Henry Rop - 2007
Alex Bett - 2009, 2010, 2011
TranSouth Conference Newcomer of the Year
Phillip Thompson - 2004
Henry Rop - 2007
Alex Bett - 2009
Edwin Kurgat - 2010
Lucas Peiser - 2011
TranSouth Coach of the Year
Gary Johnson - 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
NAIA Region XI Individual Champion
(Region format eliminated by NAIA after 2007 season)
Henry Rop - 2007
NAIA All-Region 1st Team
John Fox - 2005, 2006
Phillip Thompson - 2005
Douglas Martin - 2006, 2007
Henry Rop - 2007
Seth Covington - 2007
NAIA All-Region 2nd Team
Chris Winter - 2003, 2004
Cameron Groll - 2003
Phillip Thompson - 2004, 2006, 2007
Douglas Martin - 2004, 2005
John Fox - 2004
Seth Covington - 2006
Clint Channell - 2006
Nelphat Boit - 2007
NAIA Region XI Coach of the Year
Gary Johnson - 2006, 2007
VSACÂ Individual Champion
Ron Baker - 1963
