What Is 2019 NAIA cross country championships

Overview

The 2019 NAIA Cross Country Championships marked the culmination of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' cross country season. Held on November 23, 2019, the event brought together top collegiate runners from NAIA-affiliated institutions across the United States and Canada.

Hosted at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia, Missouri, the championships featured tightly contested races in both the men's and women's divisions. The course, known for its challenging terrain and spectator-friendly layout, provided a fitting stage for the national title deciders.

• British Columbia claimed the men's team championship with a final score of 63 points, edging out runner-up Southern Oregon by 27 points.
• Oklahoma City University won the women's team title with 101 points, defeating defending champions Simon Fraser by 42 points.
• The men's individual title was won by Philip Lagat of British Columbia, who completed the 8-kilometer course in 23:54.6.
• The women's individual race was won by Veronica Fraley of Oklahoma City, finishing the 6-kilometer course in 20:37.9.
• A total of 32 qualifying teams participated in each division, determined through 10 regional qualifying meets held earlier in November.

How It Works

The NAIA Cross Country Championships follow a structured qualification and scoring system to determine national champions. Teams and individuals earn spots through regional performances, and final placements are determined by cumulative team scoring.

• Qualification Process: Teams qualify through one of 10 regional meets, with automatic bids awarded to top finishers and at-large bids distributed by the national committee.
• Team Scoring: The top five finishers from each team contribute to the team score; the lowest total score wins, with tiebreakers based on the sixth runner’s time.
• Course Distance: Men compete over 8 kilometers, while women race 6 kilometers, consistent with NAIA standards since 2015.
• Championship Date: The event is held annually in late November, typically the Saturday before Thanksgiving, as part of the NAIA's fall sports calendar.
• Host Selection: The NAIA selects host sites through a bid process; Gans Creek in Columbia, Missouri, hosted the event from 2018 to 2021.
• Awards: Individual and team champions receive NAIA All-American honors, with medals awarded to the top 15 finishers in each race.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the top-performing teams and individuals at the 2019 NAIA Cross Country Championships.

The table highlights the dominance of British Columbia and Oklahoma City, both of which secured victories by significant margins. British Columbia’s men won by 27 points, while Oklahoma City’s women outscored Simon Fraser by 42 points, underscoring their depth and consistency. The close finish in the men's individual race—just 8.8 seconds between first and second—added drama to an otherwise decisive team outcome.

Why It Matters

The 2019 NAIA Cross Country Championships were significant for showcasing elite small-college athletic talent and setting the stage for future NCAA transfers and professional aspirations. The event also highlighted the growing competitiveness of cross country programs at the NAIA level.

• British Columbia’s win marked their first men's team title since 2014, signaling a resurgence in their distance running program.
• Oklahoma City’s victory extended their legacy as a powerhouse, earning their 10th women's title in program history.
• The championships provided NAIA All-American honors to 75 athletes, boosting their post-collegiate opportunities.
• Several runners, including Philip Lagat, went on to compete professionally or transfer to NCAA Division I programs.
• The event drew over 2,000 spectators, demonstrating strong community and institutional support for NAIA athletics.
• Hosting at Gans Creek elevated the profile of NAIA events, as the course is also used for NCAA Division I championships.

Overall, the 2019 championships underscored the depth of talent in NAIA cross country and reinforced the importance of regional development and competitive structure in collegiate sports.