Kansas City, MO – The University of the Cumberlands women's cross country team continues to stand among the nation's best, coming in at No. 3 in the latest NAIA Women's Cross Country Coaches' Poll, announced Thursday by the national office. 

The Patriots have held steady in the top three all season long, demonstrating impressive consistency and depth throughout their fall campaign. Their latest ranking follows a competitive showing at the Greater Louisville Classic, where UC posted another strong team effort against top NAIA and NCAA programs. 

Lea Kunstmann led the Patriots with a standout performance, clocking a time of 18:09.8 to place 81st overall. Her effort marks the fastest by any Patriot this season and ranks among the top 15 all-time performances in program history. 

Cumberlands earned 442 points in this week's poll. Taylor (Ind.) continues to hold the top spot, followed by Milligan (Tenn.), Embry-Riddle (Ariz.), and Indiana Wesleyan rounding out the top five. 

UC will return to competition at the NAIA Appalachian Challenge on Friday, October 24, in Knoxville, Tennessee, as they continue preparations for the postseason. 

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