Tallahassee, Fla. — This morning at the NAIA Cross Country National Championships, Bethel College was represented by Asa Johnson and Bethany Schrag, who each competed in their respective races.
ASA JOHNSON
Freshman Asa Johnson capped off an impressive first collegiate season by earning an NAIA National berth — a sign of what's to come for the rising star. Throughout the year, Johnson consistently bounced between the Threshers' No. 1 and No. 2 runner spots before delivering a breakout performance at the KCAC Championships to qualify for Nationals, becoming Bethel's first men's qualifier since 2020.
At the National Meet, Johnson ran a 26:44.9, finishing 211th out of 323 runners — an outstanding accomplishment for a freshman on the national stage. Johnson is poised for a bright future and is expected to continue developing into one of the KCAC's top runners.
BETHANY SCHRAG
Bethany Schrag has become a big name within Thresher Cross Country after breaking Bethel's decade-long national drought last season. She returned to Nationals again this year, closing out her career as one of the most decorated runners in program history.
Schrag delivered a strong performance, running 23:58.8 to place 204th out of 331 runners. She ends her collegiate career with two National Championship appearances and All-Conference honors, leaving behind a legacy built on consistency, leadership, and high-level performance.
