Mustangs Close Year With Pack Effort at NAIA Championships

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Mount Mercy women's cross country team closed its 2025 campaign with a steady five-runner scoring pack at the NAIA Women's Cross Country Championships. Abby Knepper led the Mustangs, placing 69th in 22:30.3 on the 6K layout to pace Mount Mercy through the early 2K and 4K checkpoints.

Mount Mercy finished 29th in the team standings with 684 points, using a compression of less than three minutes across its scoring five. Kalin Rotzoll recorded a 23:25.8 mark, while Annabelle Neal posted 23:58.1 to anchor the mid-pack scoring positions. Emma Althoff (24:14.4) and Maria Dudzik (24:23.3) completed the scoring lineup and secured the Mustangs' final point total in a 36-team field.

Kayla Overton (24:47.1) and Olivia Norrish (25:28.0) provided displacement support as the Mustangs executed consistent pacing, controlled surges, and pack running through the final 2K. 

Taylor won the team title with a 90-point total behind a 1–12–15–18–44 scoring lineup. Milligan placed second with 109 points, followed by Dordt in third with 136. The Master's secured fourth at 232, and the College of Idaho finished fifth with 233 points, rounding out the top teams in the championship field.