2025 NCAA DII Women’s Cross Country Regional Rankings – Preseason

NEW ORLEANS – Cross country is back!

Here is the preseason edition of the NCAA DII Women’s Cross Country Regional Rankings for the 2025 season, as released on Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Regional Rankings are determined subjectively by a single member coach in each respective region. The regional representative is tasked with weighing returning teams’ strength with current season results (if applicable) in determining a rank-order of squad potential. Only USTFCCCA member programs are eligible to receive a ranking. Teams with provisional status within the region may be ranked.

Regional Championships Saturday is set for Saturday, November 8.

Atlantic Region

Projected AQ: No. 1 Davis & Elkins, No. 2 Slippery Rock, No. 3 East Stroudsburg

Also in the Hunt: No. 4 Shippensburg, No. 5 Kutztown

Notes: Cross country is back and so is the entire Davis & Elkins top-seven. Coupled with the fact that the Senators are the Atlantic Region reigning champions, there’s absolutely no reason to unseat them from top of the poll. If anyone would like to have a word about that it’s going to be Slippery Rock, who came runner-up by just seven points. The Rock lost one of its top runners in program history, Anna Igims, who won the individual title last fall. Beyond that, the roster is polished sharp, with eight freshmen and a graduate transfer to fill in any holes. East Stroudsburg is almost identical to Slippery Rock in terms of situation, thus they are predicted to scoop up the last auto-qualifier. 

Central Region

Projected AQ: No. 1 Augustana (S.D.), No. 2 Pittsburg State, No. 3 Winona State

Also in the Hunt: 4 U-Mary, No. 5 Rogers State

Notes: Augustana (S.D.) exited the Central Region Championships last year with a gap that spanned nearly 30 points. That’s too big a difference to have the Vikings anywhere else than No. 1. Right behind them, Pittsburg State has more than a few capable returning bodies, led by none other than Lorna Rae Pierce who tallied a 20th place finish in 2024. Winona State’s Sophia Taarud is a big indicator of the Warrior’s potential. The senior finished runner-up at the regional championships, carrying Winona State to four place. Winona State is hoping to make than an auto qualifier-this time.

East Region

Projected AQ: No. 1 Roberts Wesleyan, No. 2 Southern Connecticut State, No. 3 Jefferson (PA.)

Also in the Hunt: No. 4 Southern New Hampshire, No. 5 Saint Michael’s

Notes: Who’s ready for a good fight? Roberts Wesleyan and Southern Connecticut State are poised to clash as both squads will be without their No. 2 for the 2025 campaign. That’s where the woes for the Red Hawks end. On the other hand, the Owls enter slightly handicapped, losing their No. 3 as well. Then again, Courtney Henchcliffe was out for the entirety of the postseason last year and she was their undisputed No. 1. For now the Red Hawks will remain perched at the top, sitting on their 2024 East Region title. Jefferson (PA.) is a little ways back, but building off a CACC Championship and a solid recruiting class has the hype train trucking towards that third auto-qualifier. 

Midwest Region

Projected AQ: No. 1 Grand Valley State, No. 2 Lewis, No. 3 Cedarville

Also in the Hunt: No. 4 Walsh, No. 5 UW-Parkside

Notes: Declaring an NCAA National Champion as your No. 1 stick is quite the flex. Grand Valley State finds itself in that position with the added bonus of four more top-seven members returning. With a stellar freshman class for depth, an upset will be an uphill battle. Lewis will look to repeat its highest finish at the national championships since 1997. That will be a struggle in its own right as the Fliers lost five of their top-seven to graduation. With a handful of freshmen and some track athletes, the stars may just align. Cedarville gets a healthy chunk of its roster back, including a 2023 All-American that may have gone unnoticed on some radars. When the rosters balances out, that third spot is there for the taking. 

South Region

Projected AQ: No. 1 Lee (Tenn.), No. 2 Tampa, No. 3 Nova Southeastern

Also in the Hunt: No. 4 Mississippi College, No. 5 Palm Beach Atlantic

Notes: The top-end talent is there for Lee (Tenn.). With three low sticks and a sub-17 5000 meters transfer, they have the current edge over Tampa. The loss of Ana Campos, and Aria Hawkins will sting the Flames. The Spartans find themselves on the flipside. With the departure of their front runners the reliance turns to depth where they have the upper hand. Nova Southeastern is locked and loaded to secure the third auto qualifier with four of their top-five returning from a podium finish at the 2024 South Regional Championships. 

South Central Regional

Projected AQ: No. 1 Adams State, No. 2 West Texas A&M, No. 3 Colo. School of Mines

Also in the Hunt: No. 4 CSU-Pueblo, No. 5 UC-Colorado Springs

Notes: After a strong 1-2-3 punch, the rest of the Adams State roster is up for grabs. Development has never been a problem for the Grizzlies, so don’t be surprised when their debut is as good as ever utilizing young talent in key areas. West Texas A&M gave a crash course on pack running at the 2024 National Championships. Given that the Buffs return everyone, that pack should see a steady tick up in place and with it their chances of upsetting the South Central powerhouse above them. No Jenna Ramsey-Rutledge puts a damper on Colo. School of Mines. Yet, the top-five still share a sub-17 minute 5000 meters average meaning the Orediggers are fit for another national championships berth. 

Southeast Regional

Projected AQ: No. 1 Wingate, No. 2 Catawba, No. 3 Flagler

Also in the Hunt: No. 4 Lincoln Memorial, No. 5 Anderson (S.C.)

Notes: Similar to the men’s side, Wingate is an overwhelming favorite to take down the Southeast Region for the fourth straight year. The Bulldogs will get their first taste of Catawba at the South Atlantic Conference Championships. Catawba is on par for a similar season as 2024, losing just a single member. On paper, the news is better. The Indians secured a freshman upstart who has the potential to replace their deficit. Flagler is in a bit of a pickle with its top-three now gone, but the list of newcomers is positive enough for the Saints to be viewed as the third auto-qualifier. 

West Regional

Projected AQ: No. 1 Stanislaus State, No. 2 Biola (Calif.), No. 3 CAL Poly Pomona

Also in the Hunt: No. 4 Western Washington, No. 5 Chico State

Notes: Stanislaus State is primed to make a leap this year, and it’s going to be exciting to watch. Six of the top-seven Warriors at the 2024 West Region Championship were underclassmen. SIX! With loads more experience under their belt, and room to develop, the sky is the limit this go around. Biola (Calif.) will counter with its own young firepower, with the Eagles top-four averaging 21:15 across 6k. CAL Poly Pomona slid into the third auto-qualifier position.