Spurgeon cross country capped its season on a high note at the NCCAA National Championships, with the men standing on the podium in fourth place and the women finishing seventh in the nation in Division 2. Senior Patrick De Ronde led the way, earning All-American honors and breaking his own school 8k record by 0.1 seconds.
Men take fourth and put De Ronde on All American list
In the Division 2 men's 8k, Spurgeon stacked five strong finishes to land on the team podium in fourth with 107 points, trailing only Bob Jones, Moody, and Crown.
De Ronde delivered the best race of his Knights career when it mattered most. He crossed the line eighth overall in 28:36.1, earning NCCAA Division 2 All American status and lowering his own 8k school record by a razor thin 0.1 seconds. His performance set the tone for the rest of the lineup and anchored the Knights among the top programs in the field.
Behind him, Spurgeon packed up well to secure the team finish:
Spurgeon's scoring five combined for a total time of 2:31:52, averaging 30:22 per runner. For a roster that has been building all year, a national podium, an All American, and a school record on the same day is a major step forward for the program.
Women place seventh in the nation in Division 2
The Spurgeon women finished seventh in the Division 2 5k team race, closing the season with a top 10 national finish and valuable championship experience for a young group.
Freshman Adah Barmann paced the Knights, cracking the top 30 with a 25th place finish in 24:10.2. She was followed closely by a tight trio that helped secure the team's seventh place spot:
The women's top five posted a team time of 2:20:03 with an average of 28:00, outscoring Trinity Bible and finishing just behind Grace Christian and Moody in a deep field.
A season of growth and gratitude
Between the men standing on the podium, De Ronde's All-American, record setting run, and the women's seventh place national finish, Spurgeon cross country took meaningful strides forward on the national stage.
The Knights coaching staff and runners have talked all year about competing with joy, representing Christ well, and building something that will last. Nationals was a fitting final chapter: gritty performances, measurable progress, and a clear picture that Spurgeon XC belongs in the national conversation.
The program finishes the season thankful for answered prayers, healthy bodies, and the support of families, friends, and the Spurgeon community, and already hungry for another step forward next fall.
