By USTFCCCA Communications, USTFCCCA
October 2, 2025  
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Taylor (Ind.) continues as a new program joined the top-5 teams in the Week 2 edition of the NAIA Women’s Cross Country National Coaches’ Poll, which was released on Thursday by the NAIA National Office.
NAIA — Women’s Cross Country
This Week’s National Top Five
1
Taylor (Ind.)
2
Milligan (Tenn.)
3
Cumberlands (Ky.)
4
Embry-Riddle (Ariz.)
5
Indiana Wesleyan
Cross Country Polls & Rankings
No. 1 Taylor (Ind.)
Led by two-time NAIA Runner of the Week and defending NAIA national champion Jaynie Halterman, the Trojans have remained No. 1 since the preseason rating, winning the IWU Twilight and finishing seventh at Florida State. Up next, Taylor hosts the Ray Bullock Invitational, in Upland, on Oct. 10.
No. 2 Milligan (Tenn.)
The Buffs stayed at No. 2 after hosting and winning the Eli Cramer Invitationalon Friday (Sept. 26), and this Friday, Oct. 3, Milligan travels to the Firetower Project, hosted by Appalachian State.
No. 3 Cumberlands (Ky.)
The Patriots haven’t competed since last week’s rating, resuming the season Saturday by taking part in the Greater Louisville Classic, hosted by the University of Louisville.
No. 4 Embry-Riddle (Ariz.)
Embry-Riddle made the largest jump within the top 10, from No. 7 to No. 4, due primarily to a win on Sept. 20 over The Master’s (Calif.). Saturday, ERAU takes part in the ACU Firestorm Invitational in Glendale, Ariz.
No. 5 Indiana Wesleyan
IWU held ground at No. 5 after a strong showing in Columbia, Mo., taking fourth in the Open section of the Gans Creek Classic, hosted by the University of Missouri. Off this week, the Wildcats are back to primarily NAIA competition on Oct. 10, traveling to Taylor’s Ray Bullock Invitational.
Completing the top-10 are No. 6 The Master’s (Calif.), No. 7 Cornerstone (Mich.), No. 8 College of Idaho, No. 9 Dordt (Iowa) and No. 10 Marian (Ind.).
The 2025 NAIA Cross Country Championships are scheduled to be held Friday, November 21, at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Florida. This will be the second time in the past four years that the meet will be held in the Sunshine State.
