3 AAC Runners Place in Top 10; Milligan Finishes as NAIA Runner-Up

NAIA Women's Cross Country Championship Meet
November 21, 2025

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) was well represented at the 2025 NAIA Women's Cross Country Championship as Milligan placed second overall and three runners placed in the top 10 on Friday.

The meet was held at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Fla.

Milligan's Ellen-Mary Kearney and Montreat's Heather Murphy ran in the lead pack the entire race and crossed the line second and third, respectively. Kearney finished in 20:43.6, while Murphy posted a time of 20:46.1.

Annabelle Stewart of Milligan also placed in the top 10, crossing the line ninth with a time of 21:29.1.

Those three earned NAIA All-American honors, as did Alyssa Bearzi of Milligan, who finished 30th with a time of 21:51.4.

In the team competition, Milligan finished as the national runner-up with 109 points. Taylor (Ind.) won with 90 points. Montreat recorded a 19th-place showing with 500 points.

For complete results, click here.