Jonker to Become First Eagle to Compete in NAIA XC National Championships

WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. (11/20/25) – Marizenne Jonker will become the first Williams Baptist University Cross Country athlete to compete in the NAIA National Championship Meet on Friday, Nov. 21 in Tallahassee, Fla.

Jonker ended her regular season with a sixth place finish at the American Midwest Conference Championship, the highest place by an Eagle in the event.  She became the first WBU student-athlete to earn AMC All-Conference Honors since 2015.

Jonker set a new school record in the 6k race at the AMC Championships, finishing the race in 24:52.1, besting the previous record by over 30 seconds.

The NAIA Women's Cross Country National Championship race is set to begin at 7:30 a.m. central time from Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Fla.  The race will be streamed live on the Urban Edge Network.