History
Wichita State University hosted the first NCAA Women's Division I Cross-Country Championship meet in November of 1981.
The national championship meet is preceded by nine regional meets. The top two teams in each meet automatically advance to the finals; others are selected on the basis of the average time of the top five runners on a team.
When a team qualifies, all five of its runners also qualify for the individual championship. A runner who is not on a qualifying team can also qualify to run as an individual by running below a pre-determined qualifying time.
Women run 5,000 or 6,000 meters, compared to 10,000 meters for men.
Women's championships have also been held in Division II and Division II since 1981.