KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) made significant changes to the latest edition of its Women's Cross Country Coaches' Top 25 on Thursday, with only three programs staying put compared to their previous placement in the preseason version of the ratings. Landing at No. 23 last month, the Cavaliers are receiving votes this go-around, marking their 39^th straight appearance in the national ratings release.
 
One of 14 programs to receive votes outside of the top 25, Montreat accumulated 117 points in the voting process, 26^th-most overall. The Cavs secured 15 fewer points than No. 25 Mount Mercy (Iowa) and 38 more points than Doane (Neb.). Fellow Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) institution Milligan (Tenn.) sat on top of the poll with 10 first-place votes and 545 voting points.
 
In its most recent action on Sept. 4, the Montreat College women's cross country team raced at the Bruins XC Night Classic in Greenville, S.C. Competing on a hot and humid evening, the Cavaliers ran to a runner-up finish out of 12 squads. Senior Macy Parks paced her teammates with the second-fastest overall performance of the night, crossing the 4k finish line in 14:51.9. The effort proved to be the Cavs' quickest at the meet, and it resulted in AAC Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week recognition just a few days later.
 
For a look at the entire 2026 NAIA Women's Cross Country Coaches' Top 25, click here.
 
The Montreat College women's cross country team hits the course tomorrow evening for its next competition, the Tryon Western NC XC Showcase. Friday's shotgun start is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Mill Spring, N.C.