KANSAS CITY, Mo.— The Montreat College women's cross country team didn't move in the final edition of the 2025 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Women's Cross Country Coaches' Top 25. According to a release from the national office late Tuesday afternoon, the Cavaliers remained steady at No. 25 overall. The rating marks the Cavs' 37^th consecutive appearance in the national poll.
 
Securing 132 points in the voting process, Montreat faired five points better than 26^th-rated Mount Mercy (Iowa) and two points worse than No. 24 Lewis-Clark State (Idaho).
 
In their lone event since the previous ratings were released, the Cavaliers picked up a runner-up finish at the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Women's Cross Country Championship. Montreat's five scorers at the meet combined for 65 points.
 
Heather Murphy led the way individually with a runner-up placement and a new program 6k record time. The second-year runner needed just 20:04.82 to cross the finish line, more than 28 seconds faster than her previous school record. Murphy took home First Team All-AAC honors with her performance.
 
Macy Parks and Carlyn Bobo also captured conference recognition with their eighth and 12^th-place marks, respectively. Both student-athletes garnered Second Team All-AAC nods for finishing inside the top 14.
 
To see the final edition of the 2025 NAIA Women's Cross Country Coaches' Top 25, click here.
 
As the conference runner-up, the Montreat College women's cross country team claimed an automatic berth to the 2025 NAIA Cross Country Championships. The meet, which is slated for Friday, Nov. 21 at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Fla., marks the Cavaliers' sixth consecutive team appearance at nationals.