KANSAS CITY, MO. (Nov. 19, 2024) – The anticipation is high as the NAIA announces the final field for the prestigious 45th annual NAIA Women's Cross-Country National Championship. A total of 36 teams and 82 individuals have earned their place in this esteemed event. The field is set to showcase their skills on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. CT at the renowned Columbia, Mo., Gans Creek Cross Country Course. 

Head Coach Brett Charlton commented,"Our women's team had been progressing week after week. We ran our best race as a team at the conference meet, which gives them a lot of momentum heading into the national meet."

The women's cross-country team won its 10th Red River Athletic Conference title. Junior Mia Curiel captured her first Individual Medalist Award with a time of 24:03. Leilani Leza finished third with a time of 24:41. Liliana Hernandez placed fourth with a time of 24:45, followed by Victoria Bartlett with a time of 24:49 for fifth place, Valeria Pena with a time of 25:01 for seventh place and Claudia Helena Lopez in eighth place with a time of 25:29. All were named to the All-Conference team. All six will compete at nationals.

History

The women's cross-country team is one of the most accomplished in OLLU history. The women's program - started in 2009 and along with 2010 - placed fourth in the postseason. In 2011 and 2012, the Saints were runners-up. The following year in 2013, the women won their first conference title. After finishing second in 2014, the Saints went on to win three titles from 2015-2017. The women came in second in 2018, and they won the title from 2019 through 2024.   

Nine Saints have captured the individual title - Jasmine Garcia in 2015, 2016 and 2017; Annie Trejo in 2018; Lindsey Broussard in 2019; Nadia Sifuentes in 2021 and 2022; Sanai Robinson in 2023; and Mia Curiel in 2024. 

Qualifier Notes

• 2024's championship will be the first to take place in Columbia, Mo.
• This year's field comprises 24 automatic qualifiers, one host berth, and 11 at-large berths. A team may qualify with an automatic berth by winning its conference championship meet or as the runner-up in the championship meet, provided the conference has 12 or more schools and the runner-up is rated in the top 30 of the final NAIA Women's Cross-Country rating, which is found HERE.
• The 11 at-large berths were determined by the final NAIA Women's Cross-Country rating and reviewed by the NAIA Women's Cross-Country Oversight Committee.
• In addition to the team qualifiers, 82 individuals qualified for the championship based on their scoring finish at their respective conference meet. 
• The Crossroads League boasts the highest number of team qualifiers in the 2024 field with five teams: Grace (Ind.), Indiana Wesleyan, Marian (Ind.), Taylor (Ind.), and Goshen (Ind.).
• The 2024 NAIA Women's Cross Country National Championship is broadcast FREE on the NAIA Channel of the Urban Edge Network and the newly redesigned NAIA Network for both the men's and women's races at the final site in Columbia, Mo. For more information and to pre-register, click HERE.