ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The William Woods Women's Track and Field team traveled to North Carolina for the 45th annual NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships. Three individual performers, Anna Hart, Crystal Ruden, and Mekayla Gibson, earned their place on the big stage, each finding success in their respective events.

Sophomore Anna Hart has already established herself as a dominant competitor in her young career, earning a second consecutive All-American honor after a 6th place finish in the 5000m Race Walk with a time of 27.31.57. The top finish also notched the sole team points at the national championships for the Owls.

Crystal Ruden and Mekayla Gibson each ran in the 10,000m after dealing with multiple weather delays. Both finishing with excellent performances despite the delays, Gibson finished 9th with a time of 37.22.62, missing out on All-American status by one position. Ruden followed close behind with a 15th place finish and time of 38.08.14, bringing the senior's career as a member of the William Woods Track and Field team comes to a close.

Gibson also competed in the 5000m on the final day of competition, placing 17th overall with a final time of 18.21.77. Gibson's decorated career with the Owls has also come to an end after another successful season, and with it, the end of a successful 2025-26 campaign for the William Woods Women's Track and Field team.