Held on November 23, 1981, the combined meet was hosted for the second consecutive year by Wichita State University at the Echo Hills Golf Course in Park City, Kansas.
The men's team national championship was retained again by the UTEP Miners, their seventh, and fourth consecutive, overall title.
The individual championship was won by South African runner Matthews Motshwarateu, also from UTEP, with a time of 28:45.80.
[2] The inaugural women's team national championship was won by the Virginia Cavaliers, their first.
The individual championship was won by Betty Springs, from NC State, with a time of 16:19.00.