KANSAS CITY, Mo.— Coming off its best season in program history, the Montreat College women's cross country team is starting the 2025 campaign on a high note. According to a release from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Thursday afternoon, the Cavaliers are rated No. 10 in the annual NAIA Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Top 25.
 
Rated for the 32^nd consecutive poll, the Cavs picked up 359 points in the voting process. Montreat tallied 17 more points than 11^th-rated Indiana Wesleyan but five points fewer than No. 9 Dordt (Iowa).
 
The Cavaliers didn't let Hurricane Helene stop them from notching their best season in program history last year. Ending as runners-up at the 2024 AAC Cross Country Championships, the Cavs continued their hot stretch by finishing a program-best fifth at the NAIA Cross Country Championships. Heather Murphy set the squad's 5k and 6k time records in 2024 before later grabbing the teams' top individual placement at nationals (fourth).
 
For the complete 2025 NAIA Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Top 25, click here.
 
Montreat opens its schedule on Aug. 29 with the Elon Opener. The twilight meet is set to begin at 8:15 p.m. in Elon, N.C.