Cumberlands Leads Third NAIA Cross Country Rating
The NAIA released its latest top 25 men's cross country ranking featuring movement for Madonna and Haskell.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Running
Cumberlands retains the top spot in the third NAIA men's cross country rating after receiving 19 of 20 first-place votes. Southern Oregon holds the second position in the latest poll released on October 15, 2026.
Why it matters
The regular-season ratings are essential for teams as they track their performance and eligibility standing ahead of the final championship qualification process.
Cumberlands leads the 25-team rating with 19 first-place votes, while Southern Oregon claims the second spot. Madonna climbed to fifth place, and Haskell moved into the top 25 following recent meet performances.
The players
NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is the governing body for small college athletics programs in the United States.
Cumberlands
The University of the Cumberlands is a private university in Williamsburg, Kentucky, with an active collegiate cross country program.
Southern Oregon
Southern Oregon University is a public institution in Ashland, Oregon, that participates in NAIA athletic competitions.
Madonna
Madonna University is a private Catholic university in Livonia, Michigan, known for its various athletic programs.
Haskell
Haskell Indian Nations University is a tribal land-grant university located in Lawrence, Kansas.
The details
The latest ratings reflect recent competition results, including Madonna winning the Ray Bullock Invitational on October 9 and Haskell defeating Saint Mary on October 10. Milligan also improved its position to eighth, while Oklahoma City fell out of the top 25 entirely.
Timeline
October 9, 2026: Madonna won the Ray Bullock Invitational.
October 10, 2026: Haskell defeated Saint Mary in Kansas.
October 15, 2026: The NAIA released the third cross country rating.
October 29, 2026: The final regular-season rating is scheduled.
November 10, 2026: Championship qualification concludes.
The Stats
This rating reflects the performance-based metrics required for athletes under the NAIA championship qualification criteria. The current ranking structure tracks consistent competitive output across the regular season to determine postseason eligibility.
Teams moving up in the top 25 rankings gain critical momentum toward securing an at-large bid for the upcoming championship meet. Programs currently outside the ranking, such as Oklahoma City, face increased pressure to perform in final meets to regain eligibility status.
The takeaway
Consistent performance in mid-season invitationals remains the primary driver for climbing the national rankings. Coaches and athletes use these ratings to gauge their position relative to championship qualification benchmarks.
What happens next
The final regular-season rating is scheduled for release on October 29, 2026, followed by the conclusion of championship qualification on November 10, 2026.
Further reading
For more on collegiate athletic trends, visit the Running section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NAIA.
