CLARKSVILLE, Ark. — 2nd-year runner Rocky Stone paced the Harding men's cross-country junior varsity squad to a second-place team finish Saturday morning at the 2026 Ozarks Invitational at the Clarksville High School Cross Country Course.

Competing over an 8,000-meter circuit in an eight-team collegiate field, the Bisons accumulated 61 points and a combined team time of 2:16:43. Harding finished as the runner-up behind host University of the Ozarks (18 points) while besting NorthWest Arkansas Community College (75 points), UA Rich Mountain (125 points), and Wiley University (137 points).

Stone, a Searcy native, was the top finisher for the Bisons, crossing the line in 26:53.7 to take 11th overall and ninth in the team scoring. 3rd-year Adam Demaria followed closely behind, placing 13th overall (10th team point) in 27:09.4.

A pair of 1st-year runners packed together to secure the third and fourth scoring positions for Harding. Conner Baber placed 15th overall (12th team point) in 27:23.4, followed six seconds later by Aaron Richardson in 18th overall (13th team point) at 27:29.2.

1st-year Ryan Driskill completed Harding's scoring five, crossing in 22nd overall (17th team point) with a time of 27:46.9. The Bisons' top five posted an impressive 53.2-second pack spread.

4th-year Parker Hansen served as the displacer for the Bisons, placing 30th overall (24th team point) with a mark of 29:12.7.

Host Ozarks claimed the team title by placing five runners in the top six collegiate scoring spots, led by senior Matthew Dunsworth (25:22.5). Unattached competitor Paul Riveria crossed the line first overall in 25:22.5.

Harding returns to action on Friday, Oct. 16, when the varsity squads travel to College Station, Texas, to compete in Texas A&M's Arturo Barrios Invitational.

Team Standings

Harding Finishers