Northwood University cross-country and track has consistently been one of the top small college programs in the nation. The men's team has qualified for the NAIA National Cross Country Championships from 1991 to 2003 with eight top-20 finishes. NU men's teams have won eight Regional Titles and six Red River Athletic Conference titles from 1999 - 2004. The Knight's have also won four of the eight RRAC Track Titles.

The women's program qualified for Nationals in 1994, 2000, and 2002 finishing as high as 17th. The Lady Knights have won a Regional Championship in 2000 and seven straight RRAC Cross Country titles as well as, two RRAC Track Titles and five runner-up finishes in the nine year history of the RRAC.