Staff report

 ROCKY MOUNT — Former Carson standout Bricen Burleson, a Pfeiffer University freshman,  finished sixth in the 8K USA South Cross Country Championships on Saturday and was named the league’s Rookie of the Year.

Former South runner Landon Cromer placed ninth. Burleson (17:17) and Cromer (17:25) were second team all-conference.

The Pfeiffer men’s team won its first USA South championship and the second championship in the history of the program.

Pfeiffer’s Bob Marchinko was named USA South Coach of the Year.

Pfeiffer placed seven runners in the top 10 to dethrone perennial power Southern Virginia. Five schools posted team scores.

Sawyer Helms led Pfeiffer with a second-place finish in 25:42. Cannon Powell clocked 25:53 to finish third. Camden Misenheimer was fifth in 27:02. Those three were first team all-conference.

Cole Huggins was seventh. Ezequiel Cannas was 10th.