YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. | The Young Harris College men's cross country team has been selected to finish sixth in the 2025 Conference Carolinas Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll. The Mountain Lions earned 164 points in the voting conducted by league head coaches, marking a four-spot jump from their 2024 preseason ranking and reflecting the program's continued rise under Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Matt Logan.

Young Harris enters the new season with momentum after a record-breaking 2024 campaign that saw the team post the fastest 8k average in school history (26:44 at the Louisville Classic) and finish 11th in the NCAA Southeast Region. The Mountain Lions return four of their top seven runners from last fall: Noah Mason, Austin Dezwart, Xander Potter, and Matthew Honeycutt, all of whom rank among the program's all-time top 10 in the 8k. Sophomore Aidan Vrazel, who placed fourth in the 5K at the 2025 Conference Carolinas Outdoor Track & Field Championship, also returns as a key contributor. 

Coach Logan praised the team's depth and offseason preparation, noting that Mason and Honeycutt will lead a hungry and focused group. "We've built a competitive and deep roster," said Logan. "Last year was a breakthrough, and this year we're focused on translating that growth into championship results." 

Honeycutt, who ran a personal-best 15:53.6 at the Nooga at Night Invite, reflected on the team's transformation. "Just four years ago, we were a small, struggling group. Now we have depth, track programs, and a real presence in the conference. That's thanks to the hard work Coach Logan has poured into our program." Potter added, "People may not know our program yet, but we're serious about what we're building. You'll be hearing more about us soon." 

The 2025 schedule features a competitive slate designed to prepare the Mountain Lions for postseason success. The team opens at the Bruins XC Night Classic hosted by Bob Jones University, followed by high-level meets including the Southern Showcase in Huntsville, the Brevard XC Classic, and the Spartan Classic in Kernersville; the same venue that will host the Conference Carolinas Championship on October 24. The regular season wraps up at the Royals Challenge in Charlotte, with the NCAA Southeast Region Championships also set for Charlotte on November 8. 

With a rising national profile, a deep and experienced roster, and a sixth-place preseason ranking to build on, the Mountain Lions are poised to take another leap forward in 2025.