The 2001 men's cross country team won the Northwest Conference Championship and made Willamette University's first-ever appearance at the NCAA Division III National Championships, finishing seventh overall. The NWC Championship was held in Salem at Bush's Pasture Park and saw five Bearcats finish in the top nine: Jacob Stout (3), Aaron Hollingshead (4), Aaron Young (5), Nathan O'Brien (8) and Scott Overby (9). At the NCAA Division III National Championships, Willamette was led by Stout's 5th place finish, followed by Young in 27th, Mark Welsh (103), and Hollingshead (106).