Greenville, SC – The NCCAA is pleased to honor Ella Dufault of Crown College as the 2025 Dr. Ray Bullock Award Recipient for Division II Women’s Cross Country.

Junior Ella Dufault is often seen on podiums or toward the front of a race. Despite all the success, the moments that define her are the quiet, small moments when no one is watching, as she pours out her hard work daily to live out her deeply rooted faith in the Lord. Dufault has had a love for Jesus since a young age and has continued to live that out during her collegiate cross country career. She is a woman of strong integrity and that drives her towards giving back her talents to those around her. Dufault is constantly serving in ministry as she is a worship leader, Awana leader, and nursery volunteer at her church, and she also serves with Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) as a camp counselor and huddle leader. 
 
In her sport, Dufault has won each of the past two NCCAA Division II Women’s Cross Country Individual National Championships and led her team to the team championship just a year ago, their first in program history. She holds a personal best of 18:28 in the 5,000-meter and 22:48 in the 6,000-meter, both marks coming in the last 12 months. She also is dominant in track & field earning NCCAA individual championships in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, 4x800-meter relay, and the distance medley relay. 
 
Dufault prioritizes service to her community and giving her best at her sport, all while holding a 3.47 GPA as a nursing major at Crown College.
 
“Ella shows up and gives 100% every day,” said Crown Head Coach Grant DeWitt. “She is someone that her team would follow into battle because she is a trustworthy leader. Her actions speak louder than her words, and when she does speak, she speaks encouragement and life into her teammates. With Ella’s talent, she could be at just about any institution she wants, but she sees the importance of Christian education and community. Her commitment to Crown and the sport of cross country are the perfect examples of what this award represents.”
 
Other Finalists
Kristina Brandenburg, Grace Christian University

Award Description
For many years, Dr. Ray Bullock dedicated himself to the development of cross country as a sport in general, but also as a ministry within the NCCAA. The NCCAA Hall of Famer (1999) led his teams to over 10 total NCCAA and NAIA national championships and coached dozens of All-Americans. Bullock has impacted the lives of countless student-athletes and coaches through his mentoring and sacrifice.