Pittsburg State University Women’s Cross Country Team Prepares for National Championships
The women’s cross country team from Pittsburg State University (PSU) is gearing up for the 2025 NCAA Division II National Championships, set to take place on Saturday, November 22, at the Wayne E. Dannehl Cross Country Course in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The six-kilometer race for women is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. CST, immediately followed by the men’s 10-kilometer event at 11:15 a.m.
For those unable to attend, the NCAA will provide a live web stream along with real-time results from the competition.
Qualification and Performance
The PSU women secured an automatic entry into the national championships after finishing second at the NCAA Division II Central Regional held in Joplin, Missouri, on November 8. This marks another significant achievement for the program, as they are making their seventh appearance in the national championships over the past eight seasons. Notably, the 2020 season was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Overall, this will be the Gorillas’ 17th appearance in the NCAA Division II Championships.
Recent Success
The team has maintained a strong record, clinching the MIAA Championship title for four consecutive years from 2022 to 2025. Three of their runners distinguished themselves at the Central Regional, earning All-Region honors:
- Paige Mullen (Shawnee, Kan.) – 2nd Place
- Hannah Gibson (Overland Park, Kan.) – 4th Place
- Lorna Rae Pierce (Junction City, Kan.) – 6th Place
Mullen also had an outstanding showing at the 2025 MIAA Championships, where she finished as the individual runner-up. Gibson and Pierce followed by placing third and sixth, respectively.
National Ranking
The current national poll ranks the Pittsburg State women’s team at 13th, reflecting their competitive standing heading into the national competition.
