TALLAHASSEE, Fla.- William Woods women's cross country sent two representatives to the 46th Annual NAIA Women's Cross Country National Championship held at the Apalachee Regional Sports Park in Tallahassee, Florida, Friday morning.  

"I am so very proud of these two ladies. They did such an amazing job today and have overcome so much. What an amazing way to end a great season!" added coach Gibson. "It has been so much fun seeing goals being achieved and I am very excited to see what track season has in store for these athletes."

The first runner to cross the line for the Owls was star Crystal Ruden, running in her last collegiate cross-country race, who finished in 65th place with a time of 22:26.8. Ruden, a senior from Urbandale, Iowa, has been the frontrunner for the Owls in 25-26 and mentored a very promising young Owls team. Her 65th place finish out of 331 runners etched her name once more in the William Woods record books with the third best 6k time at the big dance and a new National Championship PR for the runner.  

Woods second runner in the contest, a junior from Jefferson City, Mo., Sarah Kirby, ran her 6k in 23:22.5. The time was good enough for a 151st place finish in the contest. Kirby's time also adds her to the WWU record book, falling just behind Ruden in the all-time National Championship 6k time.  

Full Results 

The Owls return in 2026-27 for their second year in the Heart of America Athletic Conference, returning nine runners behind the leadership of Kirby.