Matthew Hopkins Named NCCAA All-American

2017 Dec 12

Matthew Hopkins, a resident of Greer, was named All-American by the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) as the Bob Jones University Bruins men's cross country team captured their second-straight NCCAA DII National Championship on Saturday, Nov. 11, in Jackson, Mississippi.

"Matthew has worked so hard all season for this goal," Coach Bright said. "He looked in control all race and is already looking to improve as we prepare for next season. I'm excited for the future."

The Bruins captured the 2016 national championship and the team continued their momentum in the 2017 season as they had five top-three finishes over the course of the season. Coming into the championship meet, the Bruins would be matched with five other qualifying teams. Maranatha Baptist University, Ozark Christian College, Alice Lloyd College, Oak Hills Christian and Johnson University of Tennessee joined BJU to make up the tournament field.

Sophomore Douglas 'Benjamin' Douthit finished first for the Bruins at 2nd overall in the meet with a time of 27:53.86. Senior Matthew Hopkins was right behind Douthit to finish 3rd overall with a time of 28:01.93. Freshman Caleb Davis pushed through a nagging injury to finish 4th overall with a time of 28:25.72.

Over the course of the season, the Bruins built on their previous successes to once again take their place at the top of NCCAA DII. With four seniors on the squad this year, the Bruins will be losing some key pieces of the team. Still, with a strong core of returners, the Bruins look primed to go for their third-straight NCCAA DII title in 2018.