It’s the Fall of 2025. Excitement has been growing around the AppState men’s cross country program. It’s been quite a while since the team is headed into the regional meet with a chance at making the NCAA championship.

The team has spent most of the season in the “others receiving votes” category in the national rankings, and they are pumped and ready to go at the regional meet after winning yet another conference championship two weeks ago, which almost felt like a formality.

Alumni are anticipating the meet with excitement as well. Many alumni even took time away from work and families to travel to the meet. The night before the meet, there is much comradery, reconnecting, and a rebuilding of relationships. Much of the time is spent talking about how the alumni can further support the program.

Saturday morning has finally arrived and the team is warming up. The men look confident during warm ups with the weight of the moment at hand. Alumni who could not make the meet are waiting anxiously at home and at in person gatherings around the country. Text messages and chats are flying between alumni at the meet and those at home.

At the pre race huddle, Coach Curcio gathers the men together. Those on the outside don’t know what’s said, but the yell of “Family, School, Team! Go Apps!” is easily heard and it carries across the course.

The gun goes off, and the men get out well. The race moves quickly, and the progress is tracked by many alumni at different parts of the course.

The team starts to come across the finish line, man by man, and the anticipation of the results continues to build. The men ran well. Not everything went as planned, but others stepped up in the moment. They gave their all.

As the results become available, there are many emotions. Excitement. Doubt. Confidence.

Finally… Elation and celebration. Goals are attained. Parents, families, alumni, and team members all are proud.

We’ll see you in two weeks as the AppState men return to the NCAA championships!