MOBILE, Ala. – Appalachian State University men's cross country narrowly missed a Sun Belt Conference championship on Sunday and finished in second place – two points behind South Alabama.

"I was very proud of their patience," said head coach Michael Curcio. "The plan to lay off the pace and move up after 2,000m and they did that. The pack went out hard and McFoy and Ellis sat in and just held on. Our three, four and five runners moved up as well, especially Anderson. Ellis and Cox got in before everyone else's five. We just couldn't beat South Alabama's one-two punch. Those two guys ran great and lead their team to a well earned victory."

The Mountaineers were led by two, top 10 finishes. Kyle McFoy paced the Apps in fifth-place with a time of 24:47. Michael Ellis was right behind and placed seventh with a time of 24:55.

Chris Anderson took 11th place for App State and ran his 8K in a time of 25:13. Josh Cox and Daniel Ellis finished 15th and 17th, respectively. Cox ran a time of 25:20, while Ellis came in at 25:29. 

McFoy earned first-team all-conference honors, while Ellis earned second-team honors and Anderson and Cox were named to the third-team.

The Mountaineers will return to action next Saturday, Nov. 8 when they travel to Raleigh, N.C. for the Three Stripe Invitational.