Meet Recap: 2025 NCAA DII Cross Country Championships

Champions were crowned on Saturday at the 2025 NCAA DII Cross Country Championships!

The meet was held at the Wayne E. Dannehl National Cross Country Course in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

From The USTFCCCA InfoZone: Meets & Results | USTFCCCA Scoreboard
Related: National Championships Central | Rankings & Polls Central

Men’s 10k Race

No.1 Wingate won the national title in a close battle with No. 2 Adams State, 62-71.

The Bulldogs moved to the lead at 2.2k and never locked back, positioning all five runners in the top 25 with individual runner-up Antonin Saint Peyre, Samuel Gilson (eighth), Luca Poppe (eleventh), Arthur Faroux (16th), and Joaquin Campos (25th). Wingate’s championship-racing experience paid off as it took its second ever national title. 

Adams State promised a tough challenge to the Bulldogs, placing runner-up by nine points. The Grizzlies were led by individual champion Kidus Begashaw, who worked his way through the field the entire racing before kicking home for the individual title with 700 meters to go. Begashaw traversed the 10k course in 29:38.8. He was joined in the top six by teammate Julian Campos (sixth place). Adams State’s three other scorers finished in scoring places 18-19-27.

The battle for third place was equally as dramatic, as No. 3 Colo. School of Mines and No. 4 Grand Valley State were separated by just one point, 121-122. The Orediggers took third thanks in part to an outstanding performance by Paul Knight, who finished fourth overall. Koby Fraaza paced the Lakers in fifth. No. 6 Western Colorado rounded out the top five in fifth with 162 points.

Women’s 6k Race

It was an exciting tight battle between No. 1 Grand Valley State and No. 3 Colo. School of Mines for the national team title with Grand Valley State emerging victorious, 65-69.

The Lakers, who won their eighth NCAA title in program history and first since 2023, placed their entire scoring lineup in the top 25 with Abby VanderKooi (sixth), Lauren Kiley (11th), Allie Arnsman (15th), Natalie Mello (17th), and Maggie O’Malley (22nd). Mello was also the highest finishing freshman at the meet.

Colo. School of Mines had an amazing pack that put three runners in the top ten with individual runner-up Grace Strongman, Emily LaMena (seventh), and Lexi Herr (ninth). The Orediggers held the lead at the 3k split before GVSU surged into the front by 4k and held on from there.

No. 8 Wingate surprised the field with an astounding third place team finish – its highest in program history – locking in its position from the 2k mark. The Bulldogs’ strong freshman duo of Abigail Bester and Kiara Bester led the way with two top-20 finishes.

Adam State’s Tristian Spence timed her peak perfectly to claim the individual title in 20:11.0. She led the Grizzlies to a fourth place finish with 168 points, and was joined in the top eight by teammate Ava O’Connor (eighth place). No. 5 Western Colorado matched its ranking position led by a powerful low stick in Allison Beasley. Walsh’s runner Claire Rethman was third and Fort Lewis’s Hannah Hartwell rounded out the top four individual spots.