The Northwest Missouri State University men's and women's cross country squads will look to qualify for the NCAA Championships Saturday as they compete in the Central Region Cross Country Championships in Joplin, Mo.
 
Course Maps | Course Info | Live Results
Saturday, Nov. 6 | Joplin, Mo.
Women's 6K Race – 10 a.m.
Men's 10K Race – 11:15 a.m.
 
Under the direction of coach Wick Cunningham, the No. 29-ranked Bearcat men's squad will be looking to earn a spot at the NCAA Championship meet for the 13th time in program history. Northwest placed fifth in the nation at the 2019 NCAA meet – the highest finish in school history.
 
The men are coming off a third-place team finish at the MIAA Championships held Oct. 23 in Kearney, Neb. Four Bearcats earned honorable mention all-MIAA honors led by Fedrick Kipyego (11th), Jake Norris (12th), Tucker Dahle (14th) and Jacob Nkamasiai (18th).
 
The Northwest women's team notched a fourth-place tally at the MIAA meet. Caroline Cunningham (2nd) and Kaylee Harp (4th) each secured all-MIAA honors.
 
The Northwest women's team will be attempting to qualify for the second time in school history. Northwest's only women's team appearance at the NCAA Championships came in 1997 when the Bearcats placed fifth in the nation.
 
To earn an automatic qualifying position for the 2021 NCAA Division II National Championships as a team, squads at the Central Region must finish in the top three. Additional at-large berths will be awarded early next week to complete the field.
 
In the latest USTFCCCA Central Region ranking (Oct. 26), the Northwest men are ranked No. 4 and the Bearcat women are ranked No. 9.
 
Men's USTFCCCA Central Region Rankings (Oct. 26)
1. Augustana (NSIC)
2. Pittsburg State (MIAA)
3. Missouri Southern (MIAA)
4. Northwest Missouri State (MIAA)
5. Nebraska-Kearney (MIAA)
6. Univ. of Mary (NSIC)
7. Sioux Falls (NSIC)
8. Central Missouri (MIAA)
9. Emporia State (MIAA)
10. Minnesota Duluth (NSIC)
 
Women's USTFCCCA Central Region Rankings (Oct. 26)
1. Augustana (NSIC)
2. Univ. of Mary (NSIC)
3. Minnesota Duluth (NSIC)
4. Nebraska-Kearney (MIAA)
5. Minnesota State (NSIC)
6. Central Missouri (MIAA)
7. Pittsburg State (MIAA)
8. Winona State (NSIC)
9. Northwest Missouri State (MIAA)
10. Oklahoma Baptist (GAC)
 
Northwest's Men's Team National Qualifiers
1968
1972
1973
1974
1976
1978
1979
1984
1997
1998
2016
2019
 
Northwest Women's Team National Qualifiers
1997