SPARTANBURG, S.C. – A long bus ride did not deter the No. 11 Washington University in St. Louis women's cross country team, as the Bears exceeded their national ranking by finishing the 2025 NCAA Championships in seventh place with 292 points. 

Sophomore Lucinda Laughlin, who claimed the Midwest Regional title last week, was once again the first Bear to cross the finish line, this time in 16th place with a time of 21:27.8, scoring just 14 points for WashU. Senior Jillian Heth was next with a time of 21:38.8 in 24th place, scoring just 20 points for the Bears. 

With their top-40 finish at the national meet, both Laughlin and Heth have been named USTFCCCA All-Americans. 

Senior Riley Clark was third on the team with a time of 22:48.1, finishing in 101st place and scoring 72 points. 

Sophomore Maddy Lee was 122nd in the meet with a time of 22:56.8, scoring 85 points for WashU, while senior Katie Rector closed out the scoring for the Bears in 145th place with a time of 23:08.2 for 101 points. 

The meet concludes the 2025 cross country season, as many of the team members will now prepare for the upcoming indoor track and field season.

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