The 2025 cross-country season has been a breakthrough for Doane University. The men’s team surged to No. 15 nationally and No. 1 in the GPAC, while the women’s team earned a No. 3 conference ranking and is receiving votes nationally, proving the Tigers are among the top programs in the NAIA.
The season started slowly at the Augustana Twilight Meet, where both squads faced stacked competition and had to shake off early-season rust. However, by the time of the Woody Greeno/Jay Dirksen Invitational, things began clicking. The men ran with confidence, closing gaps on top competition, while the women demonstrated depth and consistency across their lineup.
By the Dordt University Holiday Inn Express Classic, everything came together. The men finished third overall, scoring 107 points, ahead of nationally ranked Dordt (No. 20). The women placed ninth overall, the third-best NAIA team, against a deep field including No. 9 nationally ranked Dordt and NCAA programs Minnesota State and South Dakota State.
The Great Plains Athletic Conference is one of the toughest in the country. On the men’s side, Doane battles Dordt (No. 20 nationally). On the women’s side, Dordt leads the conference at No. 9 nationally, followed by (RV) Morningside.
The men are chasing a historic milestone: the last time Doane won a GPAC men’s team championship was 1989, over 30 years ago.
NAIA National Rankings & Meet Qualification
How Rankings Work:
- The NAIA Cross Country Coaches’ Association votes on the top 25 teams nationally.
- Teams earn points based on where coaches rank them on each ballot.
- Rankings are released every two weeks and influence postseason bids.
How Teams Qualify for Nationals:
1. Automatic qualifiers
- Each NAIA conference champion earns an automatic bid.
- For example, if the Doane men win the GPAC, they are automatically in, regardless of their national ranking.
2. At-large bids
- Remaining spots go to highly ranked teams in the national poll.
- Teams that didn’t win their conference but rank in the Top 25 or receive votes in the top 30 are strong candidates.
- This is especially relevant for the GPAC, where 12 women’s teams could potentially earn a bid.
3. Individual runners
- Even if a team doesn’t qualify, top regional finishers not on a qualifying team can earn a spot at nationals.
Key takeaway: Win your conference = guaranteed nationals. High national ranking + strong regional meets = possible at-large bid. Exceptional individuals can also run even if the team doesn’t.
Beyond Results
The Tigers’ success isn’t just in numbers. Men and women train together, travel together, and celebrate one another’s wins. Post-race huddles, long runs through Crete, and a culture of accountability have made this team tight-knit and resilient.
With postseason races approaching, the 2025 Tigers carry momentum, confidence, and a shot at making history.
Sidebar: Key Meet Results (Dordt Classic)
| Team | Men Score | Women Score | Notes |
| Augustana (S.D.) | 30 | — | Men’s first overall |
| South Dakota State | 40 | — | Men second |
| Doane (Neb.) | 107 | 270 | Men third; women ninth, third-best NAIA team |
| Dordt (Iowa) | 120 | 59 | Men fourth; women second |
Top GPAC Contenders:
- Men: Doane(#15 nationally) (#1 GPAC) , Dordt (#25 nationally)
- Women: Doane (#3 GPAC)(RV Nationally), Dordt (#9 nationally)(#1 GPAC) Morrningside (#2 GPAC) (#26 Nationally)
