SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University men's cross country team will begin the 2025 season at No. 6 in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Rating, which was released by the national office on Thursday.
 
Spring Arbor's ranking is tied for the highest in program history after the Cougars also landed at No. 6 in the Oct. 17 edition the ratings last season.
 
Head coach Bryan Burk guided Spring Arbor to a Crossroads League title in 2024 – the program's first conference championship in 20 years – while the Cougars also made a team appearance at the NAIA National Championship for the third time in five years.
 
Spring Arbor returns many of its top performers, including All-Crossroads League performers Dean Reynolds and Camden Khon.
 
The Master's (Calif.) is the No. 1 team in the country. Milligan (Tenn.) follows at No. 2 and fellow Crossroads League member Taylor (Ind.) landed at No. 3.
 
Along with SAU and Taylor, three other Crossroads League teams earned a spot in the ratings. Marian (Ind.) is No. 5, Indiana Wesleyan came in at No. 8 and Goshen (Ind.) is No. 21.
 
Spring Arbor opens the season at the Hillsdale College Invitational on Friday, Sept. 5.