With Thursday, August 14, 2025, marking exactly 100 days until the NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championships in Kenosha, Wisconsin, anticipation is building around Parkside and its top-tier running venue.

The Wayne E. Dannehl National Cross Country Course—a longtime Midwest showcase hosting events from the Foot Locker Midwest Regionals to Conference Championships and countless NCAA events—will welcome the NCAA Division II National Championships on Saturday, November 22, 2025. This marks Parkside's first time hosting the national final since 1997, though the venue has hosted multiple regionals and three national championships (1980, 1983, 1997) previously.

To qualify for the championships, teams and individuals will compete in one of eight regional championships held across the country. The top three teams from each region automatically qualify to advance, for a total of 24 teams. In addition, ten additional teams will be selected to receive an at-large bid. A minimum of 24 additional individual athletes may be selected to participate in the championship through an automatic qualifier and at-large selection process.

The Rangers will also host the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional on Nov. 8, 2025, as well as the regionals in 2026 and 2027—giving them a rare dual-stage advantage as both competitor and host in the lead-up to nationals.

The Wayne E. Dannehl Course is renowned for its fast, flat terrain with forgiving grass surfaces and gentle elevation changes—ideal for strategic pack racing and sharp finishing kicks. It's a favorite on the DII circuit and offers firsthand familiarity to the home team and their GLIAC rivals.

For all things Parkside Cross Country, visit https://parksiderangers.com/