For the first time since 2016, the Missouri Tigers women’s cross country team is headed to the NCAA Championship, and they won’t have to leave home to do it. The 2025 meet is being hosted at the Gans Creek
Cross Country Course in Columbia, Mo, giving the Tigers a rare home-course advantage. The women will race at 9:20 a.m., while the men race at 10:10 a.m on Saturday, Nov. 22.
Tiger Women Make a Statement
The Tigers earned their spot in the championship meet by finishing fourth at the NCAA Midwest Regional in Stillwater, Okla. Leading the pack for the women was freshman Monica Wanjiku, who placed sixth in 20:10.1 for the 6K. Her performance, along with strong showings from teammates Kobi Walker (24th), Suzy Lecoutre (30th), and Mirriam Chepkirui (33rd), provided the placements needed to secure a team qualification for this Saturday.
Adding to the team’s strength, upperclassmen contributed crucial placements that rounded out the scoring pack. Rahel Broemmel placed 48th, Natalie Barnard finished 49th, and Allison Newman secured 66th, keeping all of the Tigers runners that day within the top-70 of the 229 racers who completed the race.
With young runners stepping up to the challenge and senior leaders providing guidance, the Tigers are positioned to compete with their heads held high, while also having the advantage of their home course.
“We’ve done everything we need in terms of, I think we’ve done a really good job of taking advantage of every racing opportunity we’ve had and putting ourselves in a good position in terms of qualifying,” coach Kyle Levermore said.
Gans Creek: A Course Familiar to the Tigers
The championship course at Gans Creek is a rolling grass layout with linked loops totaling 6K for the women’s race. Runners will start off the race facing an initial 550-meter stretch before the first sweeping turn, demanding both speed and positioning early in the race. The rolling terrain favors athletes with endurance and strength, while familiar lines and turns will give the Tigers a more strategic edge.
Weather
Heading into the weekend, rain is expected on Thursday and Friday, but the forecast calls for dry conditions on Saturday with temperatures in the 40s and low 50s throughout the day. While the previous day’s rain may leave some muddy spots, the Tigers should be able to adapt well to their home course and crowd.
The Competition: Top Teams to Watch
While the Tigers will be at home, the field is stacked with multiple top-tier programs that have qualified for the Championship meet. Boston College, the Northeast’s No. 1 seed, has been dominant in its region. Meanwhile, Oklahoma State, the Midwest’s top seed, has both experience and consistent potential.
NC State and Notre Dame, the Southeast and Great Lakes No. 1 seeds, respectively, also possess the talent to challenge for top spots. In addition, Stanford and Oregon from the West bring the experience and tactical skills that can make a difference on Gans Creek this Saturday.
For the Tigers, they will be able to use their home advantage, and continue to stay in the race with a pack strategy that maximizes points for their runners. A strong start out of the gate and consistent pacing across the course could be the difference between a mid-pack finish and a breakthrough championship performance.
What This Means for Mizzou
The 2025 NCAA Championships represent more than a race, it can be seen as a certain milestone for the program. With freshmen stepping up and upperclassmen leading the way, the Tigers have the chance to not only make an impact this season but also set the stage for their continued success. With the home course behind them, Missouri’s women will be aiming high.
“I think that we’ve taken these things that from the outside you wouldn’t be able to see and use them as a source of focus, and that’s exciting, because I feel like each week, they’re seeing another layer of complete fitness come into play,” Levermore said.
To read more about Missouri’s XC team, follow @SophBleedsLA and @RockMNation on Twitter/X.
