A Pair of NAIA All-Americans Lead Taylor to Fifth-Place Finish at NAIA National Championships

NAIA Recap

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – No. 5 Taylor (114-15) ran an incredible race and finished fifth at the NAIA National Championships Friday morning, behind a pair of NAIA All-American performances.

TU scored 247 points, eight behind Rocky Mountain in fourth and 42 clear of Southern Oregon in sixth. The Trojans clocked a team time of 2:07:21.1, three minutes faster than the time they ran at the same course earlier this season. The fifth-place finish is the third best in program history behind a National Championship in 2020 and a runner-up finish in 2019.

Nathan Burns continued his impressive form late in the season, leading the Trojans with a 28th-place showing, with a time of 25:07.6. Burns was the lead runner for TU in each of its final three races and collected his second NAIA All-American Award with a top-40 finish.

Luke Harber also became a two-time NAIA All-American in his final collegiate race. The senior finished just behind Burns in 30th at 25:08.4 and has been top three for Taylor in all six races this season.

Ryan Hanak and Joel Mumaw crossed the line next for TU. Hanak in 51st and Mumaw in 68th helping keep TU in the top five teams with times of 25:24.7 and 25:35.6 respectively.

Rounding out the scoring for the Trojans was Jordan Burden in 116th. The junior just over 26 minutes at 26:04.9. The final TU to cross the finish line was in step with Burden, as Jared Stayte clocked a time of 26:06.8 for a 125th-place finish.

The senior class of ten athletes for TU caps an impressive four years, finishing 16th or higher at the NAIA National Championships each of the past four seasons, saving the best for last with a fifth place showing in 2025.

Taylor also took home the combined team title with both teams finishing in the top five. The women scored 90 points and adding that to the men's 247 gave TU a total of 337 points, 23 fewer than The Master's with 360 points. It is the second time Taylor has earned the combined team title along with 2020. 

Taylor graduates ten runners from this seasons' squad but will return a pair of athletes who have ran at the past two NAIA National Championships and will continue to be a National factor in the NAIA.