CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Belmont Abbey placed four runners in the top 18 to earn its best-ever finish at the Conference Carolina's men's cross country championship, held Saturday morning at McAlpine Creek Greenway. The Crusaders claimed the runner-up trophy, just 13 points behind winners UNC Pembroke.

Nathan Gallman, Brian Sause and Zachary Knott finished consecutively in spots eight through 10, respectively, while Elliott Wunder was 18th. The four all-conference selections were the most in a single year in Belmont Abbey history.

Following the meet, head coach Dan Finanger was voted by his peers as coach of the year. The Abbey was picked fifth in the conference preseason pool but have now solidified their No. 6 postion in the latest United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Southeast Region rankings.

The NCAA Division II Southeast Regional championship will be held November 4 in Dahlonega, Ga.

BELMONT ABBEY FINISHERS

• Nathan Gallman, 8th, 25:36.6 -- Second Team All-Conference Carolinas
• Brian Sause, 9th, 25:37.6 -- Second Team All-Conference Carolinas
• Zachary Knott, 10th, 25:40.5 -- Second Team All-Conference Carolinas
• Elliot Wunder, 18th, 26:02.4 -- Third Team All-Conference Carolinas
• John Hetzel, 25th, 26:20.9
• Jose Hernandez, 43rd, 27:01.6
• Dominic Coffman, 44th, 27:03.7
• Thomas Thierfelder, 46th, 27:08.7
• Kolbe Zuniga, 56th, 27:23.8
• Ben Casteel, 59th, 27:27.0
• Clinton Hubbard, 67th, 27:43.2
• Ethan Davis, 78th, 28:12.0
• Irenge Nkere, 83rd, 28:28.9
• Connor Nanney, 109th, 30:35.6
• Mark Waclawik, 111th, 31:07.1
• Charles May, 113th, 31:13.0