Williamsburg, KY– Fresh off winning the first NAIA red banner in program history, the University of the Cumberlands women's track & field team enters the 2025–26 indoor season with the confidence and standard of a national champion. The Patriots are one of the premier programs in the country combining depth, balance, and breakthrough performances across the roster, and this year's squad returns the firepower and young talent needed to build on that historic success. Though multiple All-Americans from a season ago have graduated, Cumberlands brings back key contributors while adding a dynamic group of newcomers capable of stepping into immediate scoring roles as UC looks to defend its national crown.
 
Sprints
Speed remains one of the foundational strengths of this year's roster, led by a returning core that helped the Patriots claim the national title. Junior Abia Kante returns as one of the fastest sprinters in the NAIA and enters the season as UC's top performer in the 60, 200, and long jump. Lillian Guzman is another individual national qualifier back for her second season in a Patriots kit. She made the open 400m outdoor last year and has shown success in multiple relays at the national meet as well. She is joined by fellow returners MaQuoia Raglin, Allie Bryson, and Kennedi Riascos, giving Cumberlands a deep, experienced group capable of anchoring relay squads and scoring heavily at the conference and national level.
 
The event group becomes even more formidable with the arrival of freshman Trinity Montgomery, who has the potential to become one of the top newcomers in the nation. "Trinity will play a big role as we look to defend our title," sprints coach Derek White said. "She has the chance to walk away with some major hardware at the national meet in the 60, 200, and 4×400 relay." Freshman Ritiorion Vigne also joins the lineup and is expected to contribute immediately in the short sprints. "Ritorion is a true athlete," White said. "She's well on her way to making real noise in the 60 this year." With proven veterans and high-level additions, UC's sprint squad should again rank among the best in the conference and the NAIA.
 
Mid-Distance & Distance
The Patriots enter the indoor campaign with one of the strongest returning mid-distance and distance groups in the Mid-South Conference, bolstered by a dominant fall season that saw UC place six runners in the top ten at the MSC Cross Country Championships. Leading the way is freshman Lea Kunstmann, who emerged as one of the best young runners in the NAIA after winning the MSC individual title, earning MSC Runner of the Year honors, and finishing as an All-American at the national meet. She is joined by fellow newcomer Patrober Kosgei, who placed third at the conference championships and brings immediate scoring potential on the track. Freshman Brynn Poulson adds additional strength after finishing fifth in the MSC meet, while junior Elisa Helferich placed sixth and continues to provide consistency across the middle-distance and distance events.
 
Tigist Bergman and Heather Durrant also return as conference scorers and steady contributors, with Bergman placing seventh and Durrant eighth at the MSC meet. Sophomore Anslee Crosby and senior Chloe West add further depth after placing tenth and eleventh, respectively, giving UC a lineup filled with athletes capable of scoring across a wide range of indoor events. With a combination of seasoned upperclassmen and talented newcomers who have already excelled at the collegiate level, the Patriots' mid-distance and distance corps forms one of the deepest and most competitive units in the NAIA.
 
Racewalk
Cumberlands enters the indoor season with one of the most accomplished returning racewalk groups in the NAIA. Junior Heather Durrant is a former NAIA national champion who won the 3,000-meter racewalk two years ago and remains one of the top returners in the nation. Her consistency and championship background make her a key leader for the Patriots in 2025–26. She is joined by her twin sister, junior Hannah Durrant and Lilian Bittencourt, an NAIA All-American duo who have steadily developed into one of the strongest performers in the conference. Together, the Durrant sisters and Bittencourt form a formidable trio capable of scoring significant points at both the conference and national levels and serve as an anchor for Cumberlands' overall team success.
 
Jumps & Multis
Sophomore Jaci Woods returns to lead the Patriots in the jumps and is expected to play a major role once again in both the long jump and triple jump. Woods has continued to climb UC's all-time performance lists and provides consistent scoring potential at championship meets. Freshman Kaielle Gray brings additional athleticism to the jumps group and will look to make an impact as she transitions into collegiate competition. Together, this unit gives the Patriots versatility and promising depth in the field events.
 
Throws
Sophomore Delaney Deaton leads a developing throws squad as she continues to build upon her performances in the shot put and weight throw. With a young supporting cast around her, Deaton's experience and continued improvement will be essential to the Patriots' scoring opportunities throughout the indoor season. As the younger athletes gain confidence, this group will look to produce meaningful contributions during the postseason.
 
Looking Ahead
With a national championship banner now hanging in Williamsburg and a roster that blends veteran leadership with one of the most promising freshman classes in the program's history, the Patriots enter the 2025–26 indoor season with high expectations. The combination of elite sprint talent, a conference-leading distance corps, dependable field-event contributors, and a nationally proven racewalk squad gives Cumberlands the depth and firepower required to defend its title. Last year's red banner set a new standard for the program, and this year's team is built to keep the Patriots at the top of the NAIA.
 
They begin the journey for a national championship today, December 4^th as they travel to Montreat, NC and Lynchburg, VA for a pair of highly competitive meets.
 
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