YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. | The Young Harris College men's cross country team has earned its highest-ever regional ranking, coming in at No. 7 in the Southeast Region as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The recognition marks a major milestone for the program and reflects the Mountain Lions' strong start to the 2025 season. 

Young Harris opened the year with a historic performance at the Bruins XC Night Classic hosted by Bob Jones University, winning the meet for the first time in program history. The Mountain Lions placed first out of 12 teams with a total time of 1:39:46 and an average of 19:57 per runner in the men's 6K. Sophomore Aidan Vrazel led the way with a second-place finish in 19:34.1, followed by top-10 finishes from sophomores Xander Potter (6th, 19:49.7) and Austin Dezwart (7th, 19:49.9). Seniors Noah Mason (13th, 20:07.7) and Matthew Honeycutt (15th, 20:25.0) rounded out the scoring five, while freshman Dylan Stone added depth with a 20th-place finish at 20:34.4. 

The team continued its campaign at the Southern Showcase hosted by Jacksonville State University in Huntsville, Alabama, where it faced one of the deepest fields in the Southeast. Young Harris placed 37th overall in the men's 8K with a total time of 2:12:19 and a program-record five-man average of 26:27. Vrazel once again led the Mountain Lions, finishing 229th overall in 26:11.4 and earning Conference Carolinas Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week honors for his performance. 

Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Matt Logan praised the team's early-season efforts and emphasized the significance of the regional ranking. "Coming into this year one of our men's team's collective goals was to achieve a regional ranking. It's more important to be there in November than it is to be there in September, but the recognition is special for the lads. I don't think anyone in our group is satisfied, but it feels good to be recognized that we are on our way." 

With a meet victory, a program record, and a standout sophomore leading the charge, Young Harris College men's cross country is building momentum toward a breakthrough season in 2025.