Schweizer Qualifies for 2026 World Cross Country Championship
12/6/2025 5:45:00 PM | Track & Field, Cross Country
This marks the former national champion’s second time competing in the event.
Former Mizzou cross country and track and field standout Karissa Schweizer earned a spot on Team USA for the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships with a fourth-place finish in the women's 10K at the 2025 USATF Cross Country Championships on Saturday afternoon in Portland, Ore.??
Schweizer posted a time of 34:16.2 in a deep national field, securing one of the six automatic qualifying positions for January's World Championships in Tallahassee, Fla. The top six athletes in the senior women's race clinched U.S. roster spots.??
The 2026 championship, which will take place on Saturday, January 10, marks the first time in 34 years the United States will host the global event.??
Weini Kelati won the race in 33:45.5, followed by Katie Izzo (34:00.9) and Ednah Kurgat (34:09.9). Schweizer separated herself late to finish fourth and comfortably secure her qualification.??
This is Schweizer's sixth appearance for Team USA at a global championship and her second World Cross Country team.
One of the most accomplished athletes in program history, Schweizer is a six-time NCAA Champion, 10-time All-American and five-time SEC Champion. She captured the 2018 Honda Sport Award for Cross Country and graduated holding multiple school records across indoor, outdoor and cross country competition.
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