Mahoney, Fisher, Dodson, & Dawes Lead the Way for the Eagles at Appalachian Challenge

October 25, 2025

Photos courtesy of Frizzell Media

Knowville, TN - Reinhardt Cross Country competed at the 2025 NAIA Appalachian Challenge in Knoxville, TN, this past Friday with outstanding results. The men's team placed 6th out of 20 teams and the women placed 10th out of 18 teams. The Milligan Men's and Women's Cross Country teams were the only teams ahead of Reinhardt from the AAC teams in attendance.

Both teams once again set new records, with many personal records broken. Braniff Mahoney was the top Eagle on the men's side, and Rylee Fisher was tops on the women's side. Mahoney finished 26th overall out of 202 runners with a time of 25:05 in the 8k. This was the 4th fastest junior time in program history.

Fisher placed 28th on the women's side with a time of 18:48 in the 5k. This was a personal best for her, and it was the 2nd fastest time in program history.

Freshman John Dodson had another great race, coming in 37th overall with a time of 25:25 in the 8k. This was the fastest ever 8k time for a freshman in program history. Dawes was right behind Fisher on the women's side with a time of 19:42 in the 5k.

The men's team of Braniff Mahoney, John Dodson, Ben Pearce, Uriel Guzman, and Will Ort had a team average of 25:53, which is the best time ever for a men's team at Reinhardt. This record has stood since 2017!

The women's team of Rylee Fisher, Noelle Dawes, Kimberly Guerra, Sara James, and Teara Snider hit a new record as well with a team average of 19:48!

Both teams seem to be peaking at the right time with the AAC Championships coming up in two weeks. The Eagles will race at the same course in Knoxville on Friday, Nov 7th. NAIA Nationals qualifications will be on the line for the Eagles. Fisher was the only qualifier for the 2024 cross country season for Reinhardt on both sides.

Here are the complete highlights for both teams.

Women's Team:

• Rylee Fisher: 18:48 (PR and 2nd Fastest Time in School History)
• Noelle Dawes: 19:42 (PR)
• Kimberly Guerra: 19:47 (PR)
• Sara James: 20:20 (PR and 5th Fastest Junior Time in School History)
• Teara Snider: 20:22 (PR)
• Lily Tullock: 20:38 (PR)
• Olivia Edwards: 21:03 (PR)
• Miranda Pelow: 21:58 (PR)
• Rylee Antonino: 24:49

Men's Team:

• Braniff Mahoney: 25:05 (PR and 4th Fastest Junior Time in School History)
• John Dodson: 25:25 (PR and Fastest Freshman Time in School History)
• Ben Pearce: 26:08 (PR and 9th Fastest Sophomore Time in School History)
• Uriel Guzman: 26:11 (PR)
• Will Ort: 26:38
• Wes Fow: 27:25 (PR)
• Will Baldwin: 27:35 (PR)
• Marquel Savage: 28:18 (PR)
• Jorge Paredes: 28:48 (PR)

For full meet results, please see the link below:

https://tn.milesplit.com/meets/714898-naia-appalachian-challenge-2025/results