Greenville, SC – The National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) is excited to announce a new four-year bid with Ozark Christian College and the Joplin Sports Authority to return to Joplin, Missouri for the NCCAA Cross Country National Championships at the Tom Rutledge Cross Country Course. The Tom Rutledge Cross Country Course is a well-known host to many major cross country events, including the National Junior Olympics, NCAA Division II National Championships, and NCAA Regional Championships. The NCCAA National Championships were last held at the Tom Rutledge Cross Country Course from 2020-2022. 
 
“Ozark Christian has always enjoyed hosting this event here and we could not do it without the Joplin Sports Authority (JSA) helping us,” stated Ozark Christian Athletic Director & Men’s Basketball Coach Chris Lahm. “JSA really gets the community involved and the city of Joplin looks forward to having so many teams come to town.”
 
JSA Executive Director Jared Bruggeman added, “The Joplin Sports Authority, the City of Joplin, and the surrounding communities are excited and pleased to host the NCCAA Cross Country National Championships on the Tom Rutledge Cross Country course located on the campus of Missouri Southern State University. This phenomenal course has hosted multiple Regional and National Championships over the last decade, and we look forward to having the coaches, student-athletes, staff, and fans as our guests.” 
 
The Tom Rutledge Cross Country Course has a 3000-meter, 5000-meter, 6000-meter, 8000-meter, and 10,000-meter route through the picturesque campus of Missouri Southern State University. The primary 5000-meter course has a grass loop that finishes just south of the starting line through an arch that has the words MSSU Cross Country going from pillar to pillar. 
 
Teams from across the country will compete in these events and will also have the opportunity to serve the Joplin community in a Christian Service Project (CSP). Details regarding the CSP will be released closer to the event. 
 
About Joplin, MO
In addition to the hospitality provided by the Joplin Sports Authority and Ozark Christian College, the Joplin community is an amazing destination sitting on historic Route 66 and the outer edge of the Ozark Mountains. Downtown blooms daily as artists, chefs, and entrepreneurs invent new ways of resurrecting century-old structures.
 
About the NCCAA
Established in 1968, the National Christian College Athletic Association uses intercollegiate athletics to further the Great Commission and is committed to equipping student-athletes and coaches to make a positive impact for Christ. The NCCAA currently holds 23 national championship events, along with two national invitationals for 92 member schools across 28 states and two Canadian provinces. For more information on the NCCAA, visit our website, thenccaa.org, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram at @thenccaa.