Schedule

Williamsburg, KY – After a year marked by record-breaking performances and national recognition, the Cumberlands men's and women's cross country teams are gearing up for another ambitious run in 2025. The Patriots' schedule features six competitive meets, culminating in the Mid-South Conference and NAIA National Championships.

UC opens their campaign on Friday, August 29^th, returning to a familiar course at the Berea/Centre Jamboree, hosted by Berea College. The Patriots have found consistent early-season success here, with the women's team notably earning multiple season-opening victories in recent years. This meet offers a strong starting point to assess the depth and fitness of a roster that will feature a mix of returning experience and emerging talent.

Two weeks later, on September 12^th, Cumberlands will head south for the Southern Showcase in Alabama, a high-caliber event known for its fast course and deep fields. In 2023, UC saw program records fall at this meet and another strong performance could be a key confidence booster ahead of the heart of the season.

October opens with one of the biggest stages of the regular season — the Greater Louisville Classic on Saturday, October 4^th. Featuring hundreds of collegiate athletes from all divisions, this meet serves as a critical mid-season benchmark. UC will use this as a proving ground for how they stack up against national competition not only within the NAIA but across all divisions of college athletics.

The Patriots will then return to Knoxville, TN on October 24^th for the Appalachian Challenge, a meet that consistently draws top-tier NAIA programs. This race serves as a final test before the postseason, giving both squads one more opportunity to fine-tune race strategy and build momentum.

Postseason action begins with the Mid-South Conference Championships on Friday, November 7^th, hosted in Bowling Green, KY. The women will look to extend their five-year title streak, while the men aim to reclaim conference dominance after winning back-to-back conference titles.

The season will culminate at the NAIA National Championships on Friday, November 21st, in Tallahassee, FL. With both squads aiming for program-best finishes, this meet carries massive implications. Last year, the men tied their highest-ever national finish with third place, and the women cracked the top ten with a ninth-place showing. This year's group is eager to raise the bar even higher.

"I'm excited to see what the season brings as I know what the men and women teams have their eyes set on! We are going to be young, yet talented," said Head Coach Bradley Sowder. With a schedule built to challenge and develop, expectations are high for the Patriots to remain among the NAIA's elite.

For more updates on University of the Cumberlands Athletics, visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com and follow @UC_Patriots and @UCPatsGameday on Twitter, @UCPatriots on Instagram, and "Cumberlands Patriots" on Facebook and YouTube.