TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - After sweeping conference championships, the Columbia College cross country teams take the national stage Friday morning in Tallahassee. Each squad earned automatic bids into the 2025 NAIA Cross Country Championship, after taking home two American Midwest Conference (AMC) Championship titles. The teams are set to compete at Apalachee Regional Park as the Cougar women will kick off the day at 7:30 AM CST, while the men's race is slated for 8:30 AM CST.

The women's squad captured their first AMC Championship since 2021 and seventh in program history, punching their ticket to nationals as one of 24 automatic qualifiers. Hailey Gerard led the way, claiming both the individual conference title and Runner of the Year honors, with a time of 23:15.72 in the 6k event. 

Gerard headlines a nine-woman squad that includes Lauren Berhorst, Xavia Cullers, Brenley Webb, Kari Kemna, Kaylin Patton, Paige Thielen, Abigail Woytus, Kierstin Maddox. They will face a competitive field of 36 teams and 84 individual qualifiers in the 46th Annual NAIA Women's Cross Country National Championship.
 

The Cougar men dominated their way to a second consecutive AMC title (ninth overall), sweeping the top 11 spots at the conference championship. For the third straight year, Kalieb Redda stood atop the podium, winning his third consecutive individual title and Runner of the Year honor with a time of 26:22.64 in the 8k.

Redda leads a nine-man roster featuring Gauge MacGregor, Marcos Lara, Malo Helion, Laik Graham, Ryan Brown, TJ Evans, Max Stephan, and Dryst Bostick into the 70th Annual NAIA Men's Cross Country National Championship. Columbia secured one of 23 automatic bids and will compete against 36 teams and 74 individual qualifiers.

The events are available to stream here.