Marshall University Athletics
11/13/2026 5:45:00 PM | Cross Country, General
Winfield native returns home to make history for Herd
Editor's Note: Inside The Herd is an original series where we highlight our student-athletes and tell their Marshall stories. Every student-athlete at Marshall has a story about their journey and we hope that their stories inspire others to live their Marshall moments as well! Go Herd!
INSIDE THE HERD – Rachael Withrow
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – When Marshall senior Rachael Withrow decided to pursue her graduate season with the Thundering Herd, she really didn't know what to expect as she returned to her home state.
Little did she know at the time that she would accomplish things that no one Marshall cross country athlete has, including going a perfect 5-for-5 in her races with the Thundering Herd – a mark that included becoming the 2026 Sun Belt Conference Women's Individual Champion.
It was all part of a dream season in which she joined Kylee Mastin as the lone women's individual champions in Marshall history, adding a new chapter to the rich recent history of success for Marshall women's cross country under head coach Caleb Bowen.
"It's definitely cool to join Kylee Mastin in that list," Withrow said. "Even after the race, I was just like, 'What just happened?' It doesn't feel real. Coming into the season, I never would have expected that, so it's just been a surreal experience and a true gift from God to be able to be out there and compete – get that finished result, be there with the team and to come back and feel the support from everyone. I don't know that it's quite set in yet."
Following the SBC Championship, Withrow was honored at center court at a basketball game, receiving a standing ovation for entering her name into Marshall record books as a champion with the Herd.
It was a moment she won't forget.
"I previously thought cross country would fly under the radar," Withrow said. "It's cool to see how interconnected the community is and how much the city of Huntington really cares about Marshall Athletics and how supportive they are, no matter what sport you're in."
Not only did Withrow become the second women's individual champion, she did so in the most dominant fashion possible – by winning all the meets that she entered with the Herd and establishing an average margin of victory by 65 seconds over a second-place finisher.
In addition to setting a new SBC Championship meet and course record by winning the title in a time of 16:15.65, she also won the Louisville Classic Gold Race during the fall, which brings elite competition for the premier race of the meet.
Her season also included setting the fastest 5K cross country time and the second-fastest 6K cross country time in program-history.
While she was initially unsure of what to expect at Marshall, she gained a pretty good perspective that success could come after running with teammates in the weeks leading up to the first event of the season – her victory at the Thundering Herd Invitational.
"Over the summer, I was on my own in terms of workouts and things, so seeing the big group of the girls and the guys all together just pushed me and motivated me to want to do more and keep working," Withrow said. "Then, seeing like our first meet result of our team and individually, it made me really optimistic for the future."
It was all part of a successful fall that began with Withrow's first step toward Marshall history – choosing to join the Thundering Herd for her graduate year after spending undergrad at Bowling Green.
As Withrow looked at programs for graduate school, she was unsure of where the road would take her.
It took just one conversation with Keith Roberts, Marshall's Director for Track and Field and Cross Country, to lead her back home.
"I remember being on the phone with Coach Roberts and he said Cross Country is the most important season of the year," Withrow recalled. "I really liked that because Cross Country is my favorite, and that really stuck with me because I think some places, it'd be easy to kind of just push cross country to the side and focus on track. It was really exciting to hear they place an emphasis on cross country. Also, talking to Coach Bowen, he was just so excited about the program and where it was headed. I knew he had good training plans based on their success, too. Then, getting to run with people that I raced against in high school has been a full-circle moment and just kind of surreal."
The full circle moment brought Withrow back to her roots where the love of running was instilled in her at a younger age through her brother's career at Kentucky, which got her started.
While there is plenty of training and work and sacrifice that goes into becoming a Division I cross country champion – things like 5 a.m. workouts to make it to clinicals on-time and elite time management skills, Withrow maintains that running will forever be more than just the sport that she's championed.
It is her love and her calm within her daily life.
"Honestly, running and going to practice is my downtime from schoolwork that I genuinely enjoy," Withrow said. "I wish I could just make practice longer so I could have a little extension before I go into school. Running has honestly really helped as a stress reliever from school, just to get away from it and clear my mind a bit. I just love it."
As Withrow now transitions to the track season, she has further goals ahead – winning races, setting personal bests and continuing to grow within the sport.
The one thing she is most excited about though? Enjoying her time with teammates and maximizing her time left to Run with the Herd!
"I'm optimistic about the future and know they are going to be tough races for sure," Withrow said. "But at the end of the day, I can't overthink it too much, and I'm just excited to get another opportunity to toe the line with the girls and just see what happens."
To watch the full-length video on Rachael Withrow, click HERE.
INSIDE THE HERD
Name: Rachael Withrow
Sport: Cross Country
Year: Senior
Hometown: Winfield, W.Va.
Awards/Accolades
- 2026 Sun Belt Conference Women's Individual Champion
o Only 2nd in Marshall history, joining Kylee Mastin
- Sun Belt Conference Meet & Course Record Time (16:15.65)
- Fastest 5K Cross Country time & 2nd-fastest 6K Cross Country time in Marshall history
- Went a perfect 5-for-5 in races that she competed in during 2026 XC season
- Won each meet by an average of 65 seconds – more than a minute ahead of 2nd place
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