For the second consecutive season, Northwest Missouri State University cross country coach Wick Cunningham has been honored as the MIAA Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year.

Cunningham, a Knoxville, Iowa native, helped guide the Bearcat men's team to its second straight MIAA men's cross country crown. The Bearcats outpaced the MIAA field with 54 team points. Northwest had seven runners inside the top 30, including four men that gained all-MIAA status. 

Aziz Mohammed took first place and became only the second Bearcat (Grant Bradley - 2024) to win the individual title. Drew Atkins placed second to also gain first-team all-MIAA honors. John Langill took 14th and Grayson Tapp secured 16th place to post honorable mention all-MIAA status for both runners.

The Bearcats have captured three men's team titles in the history of the league. Northwest placed first in the team race in 1972, 2024 and 2025.

Next up for the Bearcat women's and men's cross country teams is the NCAA Central Region meet set for Nov. 8 in Joplin, Mo. The women's 6K race will begin at 10 a.m. The men's 10K race will start at 11:15 a.m.