Columbia News

Mizzou Cross Country seniors Kieran Wood and Sarah Chapman will compete in the 2021 NCAA Cross Country Championships in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The event is scheduled for Monday, March 15, with Chapman running in the women's 6K at 11:50 a.m. CT and Wood participating in the men's 10K at 12:40 p.m. CT. Both races will be broadcast live on ESPNU.

Head Coach Marc Burns commented on their participation: "We are excited to have Sarah and Kieran representing our program on Monday at the NCAA Championships," Burns said. "They earned it through running a strong fall season culminating in their All-SEC performances in Baton Rouge. This is a great opportunity for them to compete against the best in the nation on a fantastic course."

During the SEC Championships last October, Chapman finished third in the women's 6K with a personal best of 19:58.9, earning her a bronze medal and All-SEC first team honors. Wood placed fourth in the men's 8K with a time of 23:37.2, also securing All-SEC first team recognition.

Earlier in the season at the Gans Creek Classic, both athletes won their respective races and set new course records. Chapman's performance led to her being named USTFCCCA Division I Women's National Runner of the Week and SEC Women's Co-Runner of the Week—the first Mizzou female athlete to receive these honors since Karissa Schweizer.

This marks the second consecutive year that Mizzou has sent runners to compete at nationals; last year Thomas George finished 120th overall. Chapman is also notable as the first Mizzou female runner to qualify for nationals since Schweizer did so in 2017.