KANSAS CITY, Mo. – (Press Book) The 36th Annual Women’s NAIA Cross Country Championships is set to take place at 11:30 a.m. EST, at McAlpine Creek in Charlotte, N.C. This is the first time in NAIA cross country history that Charlotte will play host to the Championships.
•British Columbia will try to become the first NAIA program ever to win four-consecutive championships. The Thunderbirds earned an automatic qualifier (AQ) for winning the Association of Independent Institutions meet on Nov 7. Former NAIA-member Cal State-San Marcos is the only other team to win three championships in a row.
•Northwest Christian (Ore.) who finished third at the 2014 Championships, appear to be the biggest test for British Columbia. The Beacons have been ranked No. 1 most of this year.
•Thirty-six teams and 82 individuals make up the championship field. A team that wins its conference meet received an automatic qualifier berth
•College of Idaho, Hastings (Neb.), Indiana Wesleyan, Lewis-Clark State (Idaho), Morningside (Iowa), Oregon Tech, Siena Heights (Mich.), Southern Oregon, Saint Xavier (Ill.), Texas Wesleyan, The Master’s (Calif.) and Westmont (Calif.) earned the 12 at-large bids. The at-large bids are determined by the final regular-season Top 25 Poll.
•For the first time in the history of the NAIA, a post-race highlight show will be free to all fans through the NAIA Network. The event takes place on Nov. 21 in Charlotte, N.C., at McAlpine Creek Park for the first time. Fans will be able to view the show no later than noon CST on Sunday, Nov. 22.