The Southern Oregon men's cross country was honored as one of the teams of the year in Oregon at Sunday's Oregon Sports Awards. 

Southern Oregon wrestler Michell Lofstedt was named the Ad Rutschman Male Small College Athlete of the Year award winner and Jacki Speer was a finalist for the Ad Rutschman Female Small College Athlete of the Year. 

The Cross Country team were honored along with the Oregon football team, the Oregon Northwest Juniors 18 Air Max volleyball team and the ESUFC Liverpool soccer team. 

In three years, the SOU men's cross country program went from unranked to National Champions under new head coach Brent Ericksen. 

The Raiders, ranked No. 1 in the NAIA Top 25 poll for the last six weeks, used their depth to defeat second place Wayland Baptist 105-124. Three-time defending national champion Malone finished a ways back in third at 251. 

The Raiders finished with three All-Americans, but more importantly had five individuals finish in the Top 43, while Wayland's top five individuals were scattered in the Top 115. 

Senior David Laney wrapped up his impressive collegiate career with his second straight All-American honor and a fourth place finish in a time 24:57. Only Kelly Jensen, who won the individual National Championship in 1978, has turned in a better finish in school history. 

"David had an amazing race," Ericksen said. "He was the top American finisher and just kept running people down and closing the gap." 

Sophomore Zach Elliott continued his amazing postseason performance by finishing 13th in 25:18 to claim his first All-American title. 

Junior Ryan Sorenson also finished with All-American honors with a 22nd place finish in 25:35. 

For the second straight year, senior Dennis McCaffrey finished 33rd (25:49) and just missed All-American honors, while junior James Johnstone finished 43rd (25:58). 

Other finishers for the Raiders included Ryan Ghelfi (47th, 26:02) and Josh Seitz (96th, 26:34).

By SOU Athletic Dept.