Wilkerson Represents Cumberland at NAIA XC Nationals

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.--Cumberland's lone national qualifier, Sarah Wilkerson, closed out her season on the biggest stage Friday morning, competing in the 2025 NAIA Women's Cross Country National Championship at the Apalachee Regional Park.

Wilkerson finished 233rd overall with a time of 24:16.9, capping off a strong senior campaign in her first trip to nationals. She represented the Phoenix as the program's only qualifier on the women's side.

The championship featured standout performances at the top, highlighted by Taylor University's Jaynie Halterman, who broke the meet record in a dominant wire-to-wire victory. Halterman claimed the individual title in 20:13.2, nine seconds faster than the record she set last year. Milligan's Ellen-Mary Kearney finished second in 20:43.6, while Heather Murphy of Montreat placed third in 20:46.1.

On the team side, Taylor captured the national championship with 90 points, placing all five runners inside the top 44. Milligan (109), Dordt (136), The Master's (232), and College of Idaho (233) rounded out the top five team finishers.

Cumberland closes the 2025 season with Wilkerson's national appearance.

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Players Mentioned

Sarah Wilkerson: 5' 5"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Sarah Wilkerson
: 5' 5"; Sophomore