University of Missouri
NCAA Championship
Wanjiku Becomes Second Freshman in Women's Program History to Earn NCAA XC All-America Honors
11/22/2025 12:30:00 PM | Cross Country
Wanjiku becomes the program’s first All-American since 2017.
Mizzou women's cross country freshman Monica Wanjiku earned All-American honors with a 35th-place finish in 19:17.4 at the 2025 NCAA Cross Country National Championship at Gans Creek Cross Country Course on Saturday morning.
Overall, the Tigers placed 28th with 632 points in their 13th appearance at the NCAA Championship. Saturday also marked the first time Mizzou has hosted the event and its first time competing in the national championship since 2016.
"Today's result is a starting point for us, and I'm really excited and proud of Monica and this team's performance," said head coach Kyle Levermore. "The sky's the limit for this group. I'm immensely proud of what we put together and of what Mizzou has done for this championship."
Wanjiku's finish marks just the second time a Mizzou women's freshman has earned All-American honors, joining Andrea Fischer (1981). Her performance is the program's 14th top-40 finish at the NCAA Championship and the 22nd overall between the men's and women's teams.
She also set a personal-best 6k time by eight seconds, ranking 10th among all freshmen in the field.
Missouri's three freshmen led the way, finishing as the squad's top three runners. Mirriam Chepkirui ran a personal-best 20:15.4 to place 154th, improving her previous 6k time by 17 seconds. Kobi Walker followed in 188th with a 20:27.9.
Junior Rahel Broemmel clocked her fastest time of the season, 20:29.3, placing 191st. Suzy Lecoutre rounded out the Tigers' scoring five with a 20:42.0 for 209th. Natalie Barnard finished 224th in 20:53.4, and senior Allison Newman closed her Mizzou cross country career in 239th with a 21:09.8.
WOMEN'S 6k RESULTS – 28th Place (632 points, 30-121-153-155-173)
Monica Wanjiku, 19:17.4 (35th) // Mirriam Chepkirui, 20:15.4 (154th) // Kobi Walker, 20:27.9 (188th) // Rahel Broemmel, 20:29.3 (191st) // Suzy Lecoutre, 20:42.0 (209th) // Natalie Barnard, 20:53.4 (224th) // Allison Newman, 21:09.8 (239th)
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Players Mentioned
