Tallahassee, FL - The third-ranked University of the Cumberlands women's cross country team is preparing for the 2025 NAIA Cross Country Championships after earning an automatic bid with a dominant Mid-South Conference performance. 

UC began the season ranked fourth in the NAIA Coaches' Poll and opened with a statement win at the Berea/Centre Jamboree, posting a team score of 32 points and placing all five scorers inside the top 10. Freshman Brynn Poulson led the way with a third-place finish in the 5k with a time of 18:56.59, followed by Elisa Helferich (5th), Heather Durrant (7th), Chloe West (8th), and Anslee Crosby (9th) to round out the scoring five. Tigist Bergman (11th) and Hope Boa (15th) provided depth, while Clayra Darnell (32nd) contributed key support to solidify the team's early momentum. 

At the Southern Showcase in Huntsville, Alabama, UC placed 29th out of 52 teams in a deep field of primarily NCAA Division I and II programs. Lea Kunstmann led the Patriots with a 141st-place finish in 18:29.6, while Poulson (161st), Helferich (192nd), Bergman (224th), and Durrant (255th) completed the scoring five. Crosby (296th) and Darnell (308th) added crucial support. 

The team then traveled to the Greater Louisville Classic, finishing 21st out of 31 teams in another challenging NCAA-heavy field. Kunstmann posted 81st overall in 18:09.8, the fastest time by a Patriot this season, followed by Patrober Kosgei (105th), Poulson (114th), Bergman (145th), and Helferich (196th). Crosby (19:43.0) and Darnell (19:48.1) further demonstrated UC's depth, with the top five separated by just 1:08. 

At the NAIA Appalachian Challenge in Knoxville, the Patriots placed runner-up out of 18 teams, tallying 78 points. Kunstmann led the way with a third-place finish in 17:23.71, marking the fastest 5K by a Patriot this season and the second-fastest in program history. Poulson (14th) and Kosgei (16th) kept UC close to the leaders, while Helferich (25th) and Bergman (32nd) rounded out the scoring five. 

The Patriots closed the regular season at the Mid-South Conference Championships, capturing their sixth consecutive MSC title with a dominant team score of 22 points. Kunstmann won the individual title in 22:23.59, earning MSC Runner of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors. Kosgei (3rd), Poulson (5th), Helferich (6th), and Bergman (7th) completed the scoring five, while Durrant (8th), Crosby (10th), West (11th), Darnell (13th), and Boa (14th) added critical depth. Assistant Coach James Overholser was also recognized as Assistant Coach of the Year. 

This year's squad features six freshmen making their nationals debut, including Kunstmann, Bergman, Poulson, Kosgei, Darnell, and Boa, who have made an immediate impact on the program. Upperclassmen Durrant and Crosby return with valuable experience, providing leadership and consistency in the lineup, while Helferich and West bring veteran presence and championship experience. 

The Women's 6K is scheduled for Friday, November 21st at 8:30am in Tallahassee, Florida at the Apalachee Regional Park. 

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