Cumberlands, Kunstmann Finishes 13th at NAIA Women's Cross Country National Championships

11/21/2025 5:16:10 PM

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Cumberlands (Ky.) women's cross country finished 13th out of 36 teams at the NAIA National Championships on Friday at the Apalachee Regional Park.

The Patriots garnered 412 team points, while Lea Kunstmann recorded the best finish of the day from a Mid-South Conference harrier, crossing the finish line in 13th place.

Kunstmann posted a time of 21 minutes and 39.3 seconds over the 6,000-meter course. For her finish, Kunstmann earns NAIA All-America Team honors, reserved for the top 40 finishers in the event.

Cumberlands' Patrober Jepchirchir finished 62nd in the 333-woman field with a time of 22:24.9. She finished just in front of Freed-Hardeman's (Tenn.) Eliza Poe, who ran the course in 22:25.0.

Poe's teammate, Mary Pearce, crossed the finish line in 98th with a time of 22:52.8.

The Freed-Hardeman duo was two of four MSC individuals to compete in the event.

Cumberlands' Brynn Poulson posted a 125th-place finish, ending in 23:08.4. The Patriots' Heather Durrant (23:24.5) finished 154th, Tigist Bergman (23:32.0) finished in 172nd, and Anslee Crosby (23:54.5) ended in 206th. Cumberlands' Elisa Helferich was unable to finish.

Cumberland's (Tenn.) Sarah Wilkerson ran the course in 24:16.9, good enough for 233rd, and Georgetown's (Ky.) Elizabeth Lavinder finished 266th with a time of 24:48.6.

Taylor (Ind.) won the team national championship with a total of 90 points. Milligan (Tenn.) finished second with 109 points.

Taylor's Jaynie Halterman won the individual title with a time of 20:13.2.