INDIANAPOLIS -- University of Central Missouri Mules cross country has received an at-large bid to the 2021 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships Nov. 20 in Tampa, Fla.

Thirty-four teams were selected to participate in both the men's and women's cross country championship. The top three finishing teams automatically qualified from each of the eight regions, for a total of 24 teams. Ten additional teams were selected at-large today. A minimum of 24 additional individuals were selected to participate in each championship through an automatic qualifier and at-large selection process.

Central Missouri finished fifth out of 31 teams at the NCAA-II Central Region Championship meet Saturday, Nov. 6, in Joplin, Mo. Fellow MIAA member Nebraska Kearney, which finished just ahead of UCM in fourth, also earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Championship Meet. 

This will mark the Mules' first appearance in the NCAA Championships since 2017. 

This year's meet is hosted by Saint Leo University and the Tampa Bay Sports Commission at The Abbey Course. The men's 10k will begin at 8:45 a.m. CT.