Montreat's Murphy Named NAIA Cross Country Runner of the Week

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Heather Murphy broke her own 5K school record for Montreat (N.C.) Friday at the Queen City Invite to earn recognition as the Sept. 17 NAIA Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week.

Murphy's record-breaking run ended in a time of 17:15:79, nearly three seconds better than her previous best, which had been the school record going into Friday's meet. 

Montreat finished ninth in the event, third-best among NAIA teams in the 20-team field, and the five runners to beat Murphy hailed from Wake Forest and UNC-Charlotte at the event, hosted by the University of Charlotte. 

Murphy finished sixth in a field of 228 runners. No. 10 Montreat continues its season Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Live in the Lou Classic, hosted by the University of Louisville.

For more on NAIA Women's Cross Country Runners of the Week throughout the 2025 season, visit NAIA.org.