TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The 70th-Annual NAIA Men's Cross Country National Championships are set for Friday morning at Apalachee Regional Park, and Dickinson State's lone qualifier, junior Caleb Sarsland, will toe the line against the nation's best with the gun going off at 7:30 a.m. (MST).
Sarsland earned his third-straight national championship berth by finishing 3rd overall at the Frontier Conference Championships in Billings on Nov. 8, clocking 25:01.20 on the 8K course to secure All-Conference honors and one of six individual qualifying spots. His performance anchored a seventh-place team finish for the Blue Hawks and capped a season defined by consistency, growth, and record-breaking speed.
This marks Sarsland's third consecutive race on the national stage; he placed 103rd at last year's championship in Columbia, Mo., running 25:11.6 as a sophomore. Since then, he has elevated into one of the NAIA's premier individual qualifiers, highlighted by his school-record 24:21.5 at the NAIA Blazing Tiger Classic, the fastest men's 8K ever recorded in Dickinson State history.
A Championship-Caliber Course Suited to Sarsland's Strengths
This year's national championship will be held at Apalachee Regional Park, one of the premier cross country venues in the United States. For Head Coach Dr. Thomas Schwartz, the course presents a fitting stage for Sarsland's strengths.
"Apalachee Regional Park is a national-caliber venue, specifically designed for cross country. It has hosted numerous high-level races, including university national championships and the Florida State high school championships every year. It's also where the World Cross Country Championships will be held in a couple of months," Schwartz said.
"It's a challenging course, not flat, with a long hill the athletes climb twice. I think it plays to Caleb's favor because he's strong on hills."
The rolling terrain, championship-level layout, and fast grass surface are expected to produce a quick early pace, a style of racing where Sarsland has thrived all season.
Preparing for the National Stage
The Frontier Conference continues to be one of the deepest in the NAIA, a factor Schwartz believes directly benefits Sarsland entering Friday.
"The Frontier Conference is loaded with top NAIA runners, so placing well at the conference championships prepares Caleb extremely well for the rigors of the national championship," he added.
Sarsland's consistency in big-race environments, along with his postseason confidence, positions him to compete aggressively against a field that includes many of the country's top individuals.
Sarsland's Perspective: Running for Something Bigger
For Sarsland, the opportunity to return to Nationals reflects both personal growth and the support system that has propelled him.
"For me, this opportunity is a testament to the journey I've been on. It's always been about running for the team and for the people you love," Sarsland said.
"Cross country may seem individualized, but it's really the team that makes all of this possible. I may be going to Nationals as an individual, but my race will reflect the many blessings God has put in my life, past and present teammates, the coaches I've had, and my family."
He sees this appearance not only as an achievement for himself, but as a statement about where the program is headed.
"I think for the program as a whole, my testimony shows that the future of DSU distance running is just getting started. This is going to be the place to be for young runners who want to do great things and be surrounded by great people."
Heading into Friday's championship, Sarsland carries a grounded, confident mindset.
"I'm really excited to go run my best race, make my supporters proud, and show that the Hawks are up!"
Race Info & Coverage
The 2025 NAIA Men's Cross Country Championship begins at 7:30 a.m. MST at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Fla. Awards will follow the race at approximately 9 a.m. MST. Fans can watch the full broadcast live on the NAIA Network and Urban Edge Network.
