The NAIA Women's cross country championship is the annual cross country meet to determine the national champions of NAIA women's cross country running in the United States and Canada. It has been held annually since 1980 (two years before the NCAA began to sponsor women's sports).
A team and individual championship are contested each year.
The most successful program are Simon Fraser, who have won 10 national titles.
The current champions are Taylor, who won their second title in 2025.
The race distance for the women's competition was increased to 6000 meters (3.73 miles) in 2023. All previous championships had been contested over 5000 meters (3.11 miles).
Results NAIA women's cross country championshipYear SiteChampionship resultsIndividual champion(s)Winner PointsRunners-upPoints Winner(team)Time 1980Salina, KSWisconsin–Parkside52Emporia State100 Wendy Burman(Wisconsin–Parkside) 17:541981Kenosha, WIAdams State25Berry71 Mary Jaqua(Adams State) 18:341982Marquette48Wisconsin–Eau Claire109 Kate Webb(Marquette) 17:411983Simon Fraser58Marquette79 Cindy Grant(Simon Fraser) 17:321984Wisconsin–Eau Claire91Portland99 Katie Somers(Wisconsin–Eau Claire) 17:361985Portland64Wisconsin–Eau Claire95 Val Hilden(Pacific Lutheran) 18:531986Wisconsin–Parkside121Emporia State151Gina Van Laar(Hillsdale)17:401987Simon Fraser60Adams State169Leah Pells(Simon Fraser)16:591988Pacific Lutheran44Adams State69Valerie Hilden(Pacific Lutheran)17:411989Adams State79Western State132Wanda Howlett(Puget Sound)17:551990Western State58Adams State70Sarah Howell(Simon Fraser)17:441991Adams State66Simon Fraser87Amy Giblin(Adams State)17:371992Puget Sound76George Fox111Aundrea Bertoia(Simon Fraser)18:441993Puget Sound38DoaneSimon Fraser169Elizabeth Onyambu(Biola)17:351994Puget Sound51Simon Fraser74Cari Rampersad(Simon Fraser)17:511995Puget Sound82Simon Fraser9118:021996Simon Fraser75Puget Sound11417:141997Simon Fraser56Puget Sound118Heather deGeest(Simon Fraser)18:331998Simon Fraser22Malone14617:061999Malone77Spring Arbor160Melissa Clement(Simon Fraser)17:392000Concordia (CA)133Concordia (NE)188Everlyne Lagat(Malone)18:012001Cedarville147Concordia (NE)169Emile Mondo(Simon Fraser)17:242002Northwest (WA)77Concordia (NE)11616:432003Louisville, KYSimon Fraser93Northwest (WA)114Mirriam Kaumba(Oklahoma Baptist)17:13.92004Simon Fraser95Concordia (NE)12916:53.72005Simon Fraser74Black Hills State190Julia Howard(Simon Fraser)17:24.152006Simon Fraser73Cedarville92Genevieve Binsfeld(Minot State)17:38.22007Kenosha, WISimon Fraser99Cedarville145Jaime Canterbury(Azusa Pacific)17:10.82008Azusa Pacific66Cedarville97Alissa McKaig(Indiana Tech)16:41.42009Fort Vancouver, WACal State San Marcos137Biola140Justyna Mudy(Shorter)17:302010Cal State San Marcos88Biola12717:422011Cal State San Marcos82Azusa Pacific91Obsie Birru(Grand View)17:152012British Columbia98College of Idaho112Hillary Holt(College of Idaho)17:002013Lawrence, KSBritish Columbia56College of Idaho9716:48.132014British Columbia53Lewis-Clark State96Maria Bernard(British Columbia)17:03.82015Charlotte, NCNorthwest Christian98British Columbia118Kellian Hunt(Biola)17:16.72016Elsah, ILBritish Columbia90Northwest Christian135 Aminat Olowora(Oklahoma City) 16.24.282017Fort Vancouver, WABritish Columbia109Wayland Baptist125 16:502018Cedar Rapids, IAOregon Tech125Madonna132Anna Shields(Point Park)17:152019Fort Vancouver, WAMadonna 111College of Idaho147Hannah Stoffel(Huntington–IN)17:182020Cedar Rapids, IASt. Francis (IL)111College of Idaho146Emma Wilson(Huntington–IN)17:02.862021Fort Vancouver, WAMilligan122St. Francis (IL)141Alyssa Bearzi(Milligan)18:14.92022Tallahassee, FLTaylor50Milligan177Lina MayWilliam Carey16:50.9Race distance changes from 5,000 meters to 6,000 meters2023Fort Vancouver, WACollege of Idaho68The Master's92Addy Wiley(Huntington–IN)21:04.22024Columbia, MOThe Master's92Taylor93Jaynie Halterman(Taylor)20:24.72025Tallahassee, FLTaylor90Milligan10920:13.22026Fort Vancouver, WA2027Columbia, MO
Champions Team titles Active NAIA programs SchoolTitlesYears 52012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 2 2022, 2025 1 2024 1 2023 1 2021 1 2020 1 2019 1 2018 1 2015 1 2002
Former NAIA programs SchoolTitlesYears 101983, 1987, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 41992, 1993, 1994, 1995 31981, 1989, 1991 32009, 2010, 2011 21980, 1986 1 2008 1 2001 1 2000 1 1999 1 1990 1 1988 1 1985 1 1984 1 1982
See also NAIA men's cross country championship NCAA women's cross country championships (Division I, Division II, Division III) NCAA Men's cross country championships (Division I, Division II, Division III)
References
External links NAIA Web site