2025 NCAA DII Women’s Cross Country National Coaches’ Poll – Week 1
NEW ORLEANS – The season has officially kicked off!
Here is the 2025 Week 1 edition of the NCAA DII Women’s Cross Country National Coaches’ Poll, as released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Wednesday. USTFCCCA polls and rankings are presented by AthleticNET.
NCAA Division II — Women's Cross Country
This Week's National Top Five
1
Adams State
Adams State
2
West Texas A&M
West Texas A&M
3
Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State
4
Colo. School of Mines
Colo. School of Mines
5
Wingate
Wingate
Cross Country Polls & Rankings
Adams State’s women remain ranked No. 1. in Week 1 of the National Coaches’ Poll after a dominant performance at the Joe Vigil Open, which saw five of their runners score in the top six.
No. 2 West Texas A&M produced an exciting performance to take the win at the Texas Tech Open 6km with a score of 27 points. The Buffaloes had their top five scorers in the top ten, highlighted by two seniors Sarah Koomson and Eliette Chaput placing second and third overall.
Reigning NCAA DII women’s individual champion Lauren Kiley returned for third-ranked Grand Valley State and helped them to a strong performance at the MSU Spartan Invitational. Kiley finished tenth overall and teammates Allie Ansman (20th) and Abby Vanderkooi (22nd) also placed in the top 25. This 1-2-3 punch led them to beating numerous notable NCAA DI programs including Cincinnati and Michigan.
No. 4 Colorado School of Mines and No. 5 Wingate retained their spots since the preseason. The Orediggers are set to open their season at the Roadrunner Invitational this weekend, while the Bulldogs prepare for the Paul Short Run on October 3. Colo. School of Mines will look to back up its ranking with a strong pack running performance without last year’s key low stick Jenna Ramsey-Rutledge, who graduated.
Western Colorado, Cedarville, and Pittsburg State shook up the top ten this week after jumping multiple spots to No. 6, No. 9, and No. 10, respectively. The Mountaineers impressed at the Gig Ledbetter Maverick Stampede with a resounding victory. The Gorillas posted a strong effort at their Alumni Meet, while hopes are high for the Yellow Jackets, who open their season this Friday at the All-Ohio Classic.
No. 13 Minnesota State soared 17 places from No. 30. The Mavericks’ marked improvement can be attributed to a runner-up finish at the Augie Twilight 5km. Key transfers Ashley Overgaauw (7th), Amanda Overgaauw (22nd), and one of their underclassmen, Mileena Sullivan (9th) led the way. Walsh also rose seven spots to rank No. 14.
The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) has a powerful presence in this poll with eight members in the top 30. The MIAA has five conference members ranked, whilst CCAA and NSIC conferences are tied with three member teams in this edition.
Notably, early season performances elevated a few teams from receiving votes into the top 30, including No. 18 Nebraska Kearney, No. 19 Colorado Christian, No. 20 Chico State, and No. 30 Northwest Missouri.
The NCAA DII Cross Country Championships will take place on Saturday, November 22, at the Wayne E. Dannehl National Cross Country Course in Kenosha, Wisconsin. UW-Parkside hosts the meet for the fourth time, and for the first time since 1997.
