University of North Dakota cross-country standout Jadyn Keeler is putting Barrie, Ont., on the map. Undefeated through her first three races of the 2025 NCAA season, Keeler’s breakout performances have earned her NCAA Division I Women’s National Athlete of the Week honours.
The award, presented by the USTFCCCA (U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association), recognizes not only major wins but also program milestones. In Keeler’s case, she became the first UND athlete in school history to win a major NCAA Power Four conference race.
Her most recent win was at the Roy Griak Invitational in Minnesota, which is one of the most prestigious early-season meets on the NCAA calendar. She broke away in the women’s 6K to secure the title in 20:57. That win followed her victories at the Ron Pynn Classic in Grand Forks and the Dragon Twilight Invite in Moorhead, Minn.
Keeler tells Canadian Running that some small adjustments in her routine have led to this success. “I think we’ve finally found the sweet spot for my mileage as well as what workouts to do at different points in the season to help me feel my best on race days,” she says. “I’ve also been dialled in on my sleep, recovery and nutrition.”
UND head coach Tom Scott told the Grand Forks Herald he believes Keeler is only scratching the surface of her potential. “We saw a little bit of it last year, making it to the NCAA championships indoors and outdoors. But I think she’s on a whole other level this year,” said Scott. “Physically, she’s fit. Mentally, we’re working on that toughness, and she’s getting a little bit more mentally tough every single time we step on the course.”
Now in her fifth and final year at UND, Keeler entered the NCAA season following a strong summer track season that included a new U23 Canadian 10,000m record and a Junior Pan American Games gold medal in the same event.
With this latest honour, Keeler also becomes the first UND student-athlete ever to be recognized as NCAA National Athlete of the Week. The 22-year-old sat out (reshirted) her 2024 cross-country season to have this extra fifth year of eligibility. “It’s been really fun getting to compete as a team again, and I think it pushes me to my limits,” says Keeler.
She says her biggest goal for her collegiate season is to qualify for the NCAA XC Championships on Nov. 22 in Columbia, Mo. Another goal of Keeler’s is to give herself a chance to qualify for the 2026 World Cross-Country Championships through Canadian XC Nationals in late November. “After getting a taste of representing Canada at Jr Pan Ams, I am eager to try to make another team and earn another opportunity to represent Canada,” Keeler says.
