KWU Women’s Cross Country Secures KCAC Championship

KWU Women’s Cross Country Captures KCAC Championship in Historic Victory

The Kansas Wesleyan University women’s cross-country team captured the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) championship on a crisp fall day, marking a monumental achievement for the program. With a dominating team performance, the Coyotes ended a 12-year title drought, securing their first women’s conference crown since 2013. The victory not only cements KWU’s position as an up-and-coming team in the KCAC but also earns the team a berth to the NAIA Women’s Cross Country-National Championships later this month in Tallahassee, Florida.

KWU Women’s Cross Country Captures KCAC Championship in Historic Victory

The 2025 KCAC championship holds historical significance for KWU. It breaks a 12-year gap without a women’s cross-country title and signals the program’s return to prominence. Beyond the numbers, this win reinforces the program’s reputation for developing athletes who can compete at the highest level within the conference and on the national stage. For the senior runners, it is the crowning achievement of their collegiate careers. For underclassmen, it sets a standard for future success.

Moreover, defeating the home-favored Saint Mary team adds an extra layer of accomplishment. Racing on a rival’s course is always challenging, but KWU’s women handled the pressure with poise and determination. Finishing ahead in both team score and individual placings. This triumph is a testament to both their athletic ability and their resilience under pressure.

A Season of Preparation and Purpose

From the very start of the 2025 season, the Coyotes had set their sights on the KCAC crown. Coming off several competitive seasons where they had finished near the top but fell just short of first place, the team focused on building depth, improving consistency, and learning to race as a cohesive pack. Coach Garrett Young emphasized a mindset of determination and resilience. “We knew that was going to be a tall task, but they went into it wanting to do it,” he said. “Every day in practice, every race, they believed that this was possible.”

Key returners and seniors provided experience and leadership that would prove critical. The team’s strategy relied on placing multiple athletes in the top scoring positions to minimize points and secure the win. Underclassmen, too, stepped up throughout the season, helping create a balanced roster that could compete at the conference level.

The Championship Race

The KCAC championship was hosted by Saint Mary, giving the Spires the advantage of racing on familiar terrain. Despite the home course setting, the Coyotes maintained a focused approach. The weather was clear and cool, ideal for distance running, and the course itself challenged runners with rolling hills and technical turns that required both endurance and tactical skill.

From the starting gun, KWU executed a strategy built around tight pack running. By keeping several athletes near the front, the Coyotes were able to control the pace and respond to moves from rival runners.

Standout Athletes 

The championship win was a collective effort, with multiple athletes contributing crucial points:

• Kierra Jensen finished 2nd overall with a time of 22:32.51
• Kirstin Hackney secured 3rd place at 22:34.85
• Josie Koppes (6th, 22:51.07)
• Madisyn Ehrlich (7th, 23:02.94)
• Micah Dickens (9th, 23:30.98)

The depth of the Coyotes’ roster meant that even the fifth scorer finished within the top 10, a key factor in the low team score and overall victory. Beyond the scorers, other athletes provided support, helping maintain pace and morale, showcasing the program’s emphasis on teamwork.

Historical Significance

The victory represents a historic milestone for KWU women’s cross country, ending a 12-year gap since the team last captured the conference title in 2013. Winning on the course of a rival added extra significance, highlighting the program’s growth and ability to perform under pressure. For many of the seniors, this championship represents the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. Coach Young noted, “This team believed in themselves, in each other, and in the process. That belief is what carried them across the finish line.”

The win also reinforces KWU’s position as a rising power in the KCAC, signaling to future recruits that the program is capable of competing at the highest level within the conference.

Looking Ahead to Nationals

With the KCAC championship secured, the Coyotes earned a berth in the NAIA Women’s Cross Country-National Championship, scheduled for Nov. 21 in Tallahassee, Florida. The team now turns its focus to preparing for nationals, where they will face the top programs from across the NAIA. While the competition will be stiffer, the confidence gained from the conference victory and the momentum built throughout the season positions KWU to compete effectively at the national level.

Coach Young expressed optimism about the team’s prospects:

“This championship is just one step. Our goal now is to take what we’ve learned and use it to compete with the best teams in the country. The women have proven they can rise to the occasion, and I have no doubt they’ll give their best at nationals.”