An additional men's team and an additional women's team will have the opportunity to compete in the 2025 Division I Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships.
A total of 32 men's and 32 women's teams will run in the championships, which will take place Nov. 22 in Columbia, Missouri. Previously, 31 teams from each gender advanced to the finals site.
The field size had not expanded since 1998. During this time, sponsorship within the sport has grown from 293 men's programs to 321 and from 304 women's programs to 353.
Division I Men's and Women's Track and Field and Cross Country Oversight Committee members feel adding a 32nd team will elevate the championship competition and student-athlete experience, while being comfortably accommodated on the championship courses where the competitions are held.
The move will increase the field size per gender from 255 to 262 total runners.
"The committee is excited about the addition of the 32nd team to the 2025 men's and women's cross country championships, as it gives additional student-athletes the opportunity to compete at the pinnacle of collegiate cross country," said Karina Handeland, oversight committee chair and senior associate athletics director at Portland.
