CLINTON, Miss. – The No. 7 University of Tennessee Southern men's cross country team made program history Friday morning, capturing the Southern States Athletic Conference Men's Cross Country Championship with a dominant performance at the championship meet in Clinton, Mississippi.

The Firehawks totaled just 32 points, comfortably defeating runner-up Mobile (42 points) and third-place Loyola New Orleans (59 points) to secure the conference crown. UT Southern placed five runners among the top 15 finishers and seven among the top 21 as the Firehawks showcased the depth that has propelled them into the NAIA national spotlight throughout the season.

Senior Spencer Head delivered one of the best races of his career, earning SSAC Runner-Up honors with a second-place finish in 25:03.2 over the 8K championship course. Head paced the Firehawks with a strong front-running performance and finished as the top scorer among the conference championship contenders.

Sophomore Frankline Kipruto, the reigning NAIA National Runner of the Week, crossed the line third overall in 25:17.8 to earn All-Conference honors. Kipruto's finish gave UT Southern two runners on the podium and helped establish control of the race from the opening stages.

Junior Bruno Villazon continued his strong postseason form with a fifth-place finish in 25:28.8, while sophomore Martin VanHamme followed in seventh place with a time of 25:35.1.

Junior Amon Rotich rounded out the Firehawks' scoring five with a 15th-place finish in 26:30.9, securing the team championship for UT Southern.

Freshman Davide Ambruschi added a 16th-place finish, while sophomore Luca Neumeister crossed the line 21st overall. Sophomore Jacob Casteel, freshman Mattia Guidi, and freshman Canon Lett also contributed strong performances for the championship squad.

The title caps a remarkable regular season and championship run for the Firehawks. Throughout the fall, UT Southern reached a program-best No. 6 national ranking, produced a national runner of the week in Kipruto, set multiple school records, claimed several individual championships, and consistently competed among the top teams in the country.

After finishing with four runners inside the top seven and five inside the top 15, the Firehawks left little doubt about their standing as the premier men's cross country program in the conference.

Team Standings

1. UT Southern – 32
2. Mobile – 42
3. Loyola New Orleans – 59
4. Blue Mountain – 115
5. Faulkner – 162
6. William Carey – 186
7. Brewton-Parker – 201
8. Xavier Louisiana – 217
9. ABAC – 231
10. Thomas (Ga.) – 314
11. Andrew College – 316

UT Southern Results

• Spencer Head – 2nd – 25:03.2
• Frankline Kipruto – 3rd – 25:17.8
• Bruno Villazon – 5th – 25:28.8
• Martin VanHamme – 7th – 25:35.1
• Amon Rotich – 15th – 26:30.9
• Davide Ambruschi – 16th – 26:33.9
• Luca Neumeister – 21st – 27:07.0
• Jacob Casteel – 23rd – 27:42.9
• Mattia Guidi – 25th – 27:58.3
• Canon Lett – 26th – 28:01.2
• Cameron Stovall – 73rd – 28:29.8

With the conference championship secured, the Firehawks now focus on the grand stage for the NAIA National Championships as they continue the most successful season in program history.

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