After winning the MIAA meet for the first time in over 50 years, Northwest Missouri State men's cross country is expected to repeat.
That's according to the conference's preseason rankings.
The poll, voted on by MIAA coaches, featured the Northwest men at No. 1. The Bearcats landed at No. 4 in the women's rankings.
The 2024 season featured one of the best campaigns in Northwest history as the men caputured the top spot at the MIAA meet for the first time since 1972, and eventually landed a top 10 finish at the national championship meet.
The Bearcats graduated a pair of All-Americans in Grant Bradley and Nate Mueller. Fellow All-American Drew Atkins is back for his senior season.
Atkins, Tyler Blay and Riley Witt will be looked at as the anchors of the men's squad in 2025.
The Northwest women were picked middle-of-the-pack a season ago, but secured fourth at the conference meet. Eight of the 10 Bearcats that competed at the MIAA meet return, including All-MIAA honorees Lydia McGlocklin and Mayson Hartley. Whitney Post and Taylor McCreedy also return for their senior seasons after missing the 2024 campaign.
The Northwest cross country season begins September 5 in Nebraska with the Platte River Rumble.
2025 MIAA MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Northwest Missouri State [10] – 118 points
2. Pittsburg State [2] – 111 points
3. Nebraska Kearney – 95 points
4. Washburn – 91 points
5. Missouri Southern – 79 points
6. Central Missouri – 69 points
7. Missouri Western – 63 points
8. Fort Hays State – 59 points
9. Rogers State – 42 points
10. Emporia State – 32 points
11. Newman – 22 points
12. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 12 points
[#] - Number of First Place Votes
2025 MIAA WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Pittsburg State [8] – 138 points
2. Rogers State [3] – 124 points
3. Fort Hays State – 111 points
T4. Nebraska Kearney [1] – 108 points
T4. Northwest Missouri State – 108 points
6. Missouri Southern [1] – 94 points
7. Washburn – 83 points
8. Emporia State – 62 points
9. Central Missouri – 60 points
10. Missouri Western – 49 points
11. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 35 points
12. Newman – 27 points
13. Central Oklahoma – 15 points
[#] - Number of First Place Votes
