SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's cross country team competed at the 2025 NCAA DIII National Championships, placing 19th out of 32 teams on a warm Saturday morning at the Milliken Research Park in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Making their first championships appearance since 2015, the Pioneers scored 470 points to finish 19th overall in the 8K race. UW-La Crosse claimed the national title by scoring 82 points for first place, while SUNY Geneseo (132) and Wartburg (133) wrapped up the top three teams.

Junior Zachary Sporaa was UW-Platteville's top scorer, finishing 91st overall and scoring 72 points behind a time of 25:14.6. Senior Caden Schneider was next, posting a time of 25:29.9 to place 120th and score 89 points for the Pioneers.

Less than two seconds behind Schneider was senior Joshua Stone, who crossed the line in 25:31.2 for 126th and scored 93 points. Sophomore Maxwell Voss added 104 points to the total by running a 25:37.5 for 141st, while junior Maxwell Sporaa rounded out the top five scorers with 112 points behind his 152nd-place finish in 25:40.5.

"Proud of what the team did making it to the national championships," head coach James Akita said following the meet. "This outcome doesn't represent the success of the season. We gained valuable experience for the younger athletes and for the seniors, feeling content that they helped get the team back after ten years was special."

Rounding out the Pioneers top seven were juniors Paul Pfeifer and Matt Tippel. Pfeifer came in 210th in 26:06.3, while Tippel finished 260th in 26:40.6.

UW-Platteville wraps up a successful cross country season at the national championships that saw the men's team finish second at the WIAC Championships and third at the NCAA Regional meet.