Troy University Athletics
Troy University
Sun Belt Conference Championship
Troy Close 2025 Season at Sun Belt Championship
10/31/2025 1:47:00 PM | Cross Country
FOLEY, Ala. – The Troy men's and women's cross country teams closed out their 2025 seasons Friday morning at the Sun Belt Conference Championships, held at the Graham Creek Nature Preserve in Foley, Ala.
I am really pleased to come away with so many personal records on the day, head coach Brian Cunningham said. It is hard to be upset when people run faster than they ever have. Obviously, none of us are satisfied with the team's score, but we made good progress on the season. Now we'll heal up and get ready for track season.
The men's team earned a ninth-place finish with 204 points, while the women's squad placed 13th with 361 points in a competitive SBC field.
Sophomore Lane Watson led the way for the Trojans in the men's 8K, clocking a personal best 25:05.69 to finish 22nd overall. Fellow junior Keith Warner followed close behind in 28th place at 25:15.55 (personal best), with Caden Blackman rounding out Troy's top three at 25:43.84.
Completing the top-5 for the Trojans were Gavan Baxley (26:32.34) and Ethan Newsome (26:43.94), placing 59th and 61st, respectively, and claiming personal bests.
Appalachian State claimed the men's team title with 32 points, led by a pack that placed all five scorers in the top 10.
On the women's side, senior Makenna Calbert finished her strong career as Troy's top finisher, taking 52nd place with a time of 18:21.40. Sophomore Arianna Elder crossed next for the Trojans at 19:03.00, followed by junior Lucy Turley, timed at 19:17.90.
Rounding out Troy's top-five were Abigail Carr (19:31.90) and Aisley McMeen (20:21.70). Junior Giulianna Rivero finished at 21:56.90 to cap off the lineup - Carr claimed a personal best.
Appalachian State also took home the women's team title with 77 points, edging out Southern Miss (88) and Texas State (98).
Men's 8K (9th of 9 – 204 pts)
Lane Watson – 22nd – 25:05.69^
Keith Warner – 28th – 25:15.55^
Caden Blackman – 39th – 25:43.84
Gavan Baxley – 59th – 26:32.34^
Ethan Newsome – 61st – 26:43.94^
Patterson Graham – 67th – 27:03.59
Pierre Boerkey – 69th – 27:19.22^
Bennett Phillips – 71st – 27:42.72^
Women's 5K (13th of 13 – 361 pts)
Makenna Calbert – 52nd – 18:21.40
Arianna Elder – 73rd – 19:03.00
Lucy Turley – 81st – 19:17.90
Abigail Carr – 87th – 19:31.90^
Aisley McMeen – 93rd – 20:21.70
Giulianna Rivero – 100th – 21:56.90
^ - personal record
Players Mentioned
