Women’s Cross Country rises to No. 2 nationally in NAIA Top 25 Poll

MILLIAN, Tenn. (September 23, 2021) – The Milligan University women's cross country team matched its highest ranking in program history as the Buffs rose two spots to No. 2 overall in the NAIA Women's Cross Country Top 25 Poll on Thursday.

Milligan last achieved the No. 2 overall national ranking in 2007 when the Buffs were ranked second overall in the NAIA in seven in-season polls. That squad posted the program's best-ever finish at the NAIA National Championships, a third-place showing with Jacklyn Talbert collecting All-American honors.

Milligan's appearance in the Top 25 marks the 48th-consecutive appearance for the Milligan women's cross country team in the national top 25, the third-longest active streak in the NAIA. Milligan's been ranked inside the top 10 in each of the last 15 polls.

The Buffs opened their 2021 season in impressive fashion on Sept. 3 at Appalachian State's Covered Bridge Open. Running without two of their top returners, the Buffs finished fifth out of 13 teams at App State and bested six of 10 NCAA Division I programs that attended the meet.

Graduate student Lemi Wutz turned in a sensational debut for Milligan, posting a 17:17 5k time to finish third overall. She became the second-fastest Milligan women's cross country runner in program history in her very first competition, only behind four-time national champion and Milligan Hall of Famer Hannah Segrave.

Sophomore Alyssa Bearzi also jumped into Milligan's all-time cross country top 10 list with a 17:53 in her first cross country appearance for the Buffs. Her 5k mark places her eighth in program history. She finished 14th overall in the 130-runner field.

Gracie Allen also posted a PR at 18:37.5. In total, nine Buffs ran either personal bests or posted the fastest collegiate opener of their respective career.

Milligan cross country heads to Charlotte for the Queen City Invitational tomorrow evening for the team's second event of the year.