HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference has announced its Cross Country Preseason Coaches’ Poll, which was released Wednesday (Aug. 28). Michigan Tech’s men are ranked fourth with 59 points, while the women’s team is ranked fifth with 64 points. Grand Valley State is the preseason favorite with nine first-place finishes on the women’s side and 10 first-place finishes on the men’s side.

The men’s team returns with a first-team All-GLIAC and All-Region player Sam Long together with Tucker Ringhand who was the GLIAC runner-up in the 5,000m at the 2023 Outdoor Track & Field Championships and finished fourth for the Huskies at the 2022 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships as the Black & Gold earned a program-best 10th-place team finish.

MTU also welcomes six newcomers as the fastest recruiting class ever, highlighted by the transfer to Lansing Community College Michael Dennis became the runner-up of the NJCAA Division II.

The women’s team returns with low stick Sophia Rhine She returns for her sophomore year after being named to the All-GLIAC second team in cross country as a freshman. Cedar Gordon, Ingrid Halverson And Hailee Zimpel join Rhein as returnees from last season’s regional meeting.

In addition, with nine new additions, Black & Gold brings a lot of talent with the potential to be in the top seven.

The Huskies open the season on September 6 at the Phoenix Open, hosted by the University of Green Bay.

GLIAC Preseason Men’s Cross Country Coaches Survey 2024

GLIAC Preseason Coaches Survey for 2024 Women’s Cross Country