2025 NCAA DII Women’s Cross Country Regional Rankings – Week 3

NEW ORLEANS – Business is picking up.

Here is the newest edition of the NCAA DII Women’s Cross Country Regional Rankings for the 2025 season, which are released every 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 AQs: No. 1 Davis & Elkins, No. 2 Slippery Rock, No. 3 Kutztown

Also in the Hunt: No. 4 East Stroudsburg, No. 5 Shippensburg

Notes: Davis & Elkins and Slippery Rock went head-to-head this past weekend at the Lock Haven Invitational – on the same course that will host the regional championships. The Senators took runner-up honors behind NCAA DII No. 11 Walsh and finished more than 50 points better than The Rock. Kutztown and East Stroudsburg square off at the Paul Short Run this weekend.

Central Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Winona State, No. 2 Pittsburg State, No. 3 Missouri Southern

Also in the Hunt: No. 4 Rogers State, No. 5 Nebraska-Kearney

Notes: There were no changes to the top-five teams.

East Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Roberts Wesleyan, No. 2 Southern Connecticut State, No. 3 Jefferson

Also in the Hunt: No. 4 Saint Anselm, No. 5 Saint Michael’s

Notes: Roberts Wesleyan put forth a strong effort at its own Harry F. Anderson Invitational, finishing runner-up behind NCAA DIII SUNY Geneseo. Look for both Southern Connecticut State and Jefferson to race at the Paul Short Run this weekend.

Midwest Region

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

Also in the Hunt: No. 4 Walsh, No. 5 Northern Michigan

Notes: Grand Valley State, Cedarville, and Lewis were all idle this past weekend in advance of some big competition coming up – namely the Lakers at the Joe Piane Invitational. Walsh made quick work of the Lock Haven Invitational, winning by 38 points. Claire Rethamn led the way for the Cavaliers with the individual title in 20:27.2, more than one minute faster than the runner-up.

South Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Tampa, No. 2 Lee (Tenn.), No. 3 Palm Beach Atlantic

Also in the Hunt: No. 4 Nova Southeastern, No. 5 Mississippi College

Notes: Tampa usurps Lee (Tenn.) atop the rankings after an impressive showing at the FSU Invitational in Tallahassee, Florida. The Spartans finished fifth as a team, ahead of NCAA DI Miami (Fla.), NAIA No. 1 Taylor (Ind.) and others. The Flames took on a talented field at the Lucian Rosa Invitational, which served as the de facto NCAA DII Pre-National.

Palm Beach Atlantic soars into the rankings this week after a competitive showing at the Lucian Rosa Invitational, where it finished eighth ahead of Cal Poly Pomona and Saginaw Valley State.

South Central Region

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

Also in the Hunt: No. 4 Western Colorado, No. 5 UC Colorado Springs

Notes: Colo. School of Mines dominated the Lucian Rosa Invitational. The Orediggers went 1-2-3 individually with Grace Strongman leading the charge and finished with 51 points, 26 fewer than regional foe Adams State. The Grizzlies were paced by Tristian Spence and finished six points ahead of UC Colorado Springs. West Texas A&M didn’t race this past weekend, while Western Colorado took on a strong field at the Cowboy Jamboree in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Southeast Region

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

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

Notes: There were no changes to the top-five teams. Flagler cemented its No. 3 billing with a controlled effort at the FSU Invitational. The Saints averaged 23:19 on a rain-soaked course and finished with a spread of just 0.4 seconds.

West Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Stanislaus State, No. 2 Chico State, No. 3 Cal Poly Pomona

Also in the Hunt: No. 4 Biola (Calif.), No. 5 Western Washington

Notes: Stanislaus State, Chico State, and Western Washington all won titles this past weekend. The Warriors impressed the most with a 20:47 team average and a 48-second spread between their first and fifth runners.