FARMINGTON, Utah (August 30, 2023) – For both men’s and women’s cross country programs at Northern Arizona University the expectations for the upcoming season are as high as the elevation in Flagstaff.
And 7,000 feet is pretty high.
On Wednesday the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) released its annual Preseason National Top-30 rankings today, and the Lumberjack men have been projected preseason No. 1 while the women have been slotted preseason No. 2.
Men’s Poll |
Women’s Poll
Both squads were unanimous choices in the Big Sky Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll as well.
Claiming their sixth national championship in seven seasons a year ago, the Lumberjack men bring back a lot of talent and are eyeing yet another run for the title. Additionally, they’ve won 19 Big Sky team titles since the year 2000, along with two in a row. The ‘Jacks also have a pair of individual conference champions on their roster, as both Drew Bosley and Nico Young are returning to compete for more hardware.
NAU’s men have claimed 31 total Big Sky Conference titles and scored 19 points at the championship last season in Cheney, Washington.
A year removed from claiming the league’s second-best finish ever at the national championship on the women’s side, the Lumberjacks are projected to repeat for the fifth time in as many seasons.
They’ve won every Big Sky title dating back to 2019, and six of the last seven. Last year at nationals they finished in sixth place, paced by returner Elise Stearns who finished in fourth to claim All-American status.
NAU’s women have claimed 24 Big Sky titles in their history.
Northern Arizona’s season will begin on Saturday, September 2 when they host the George Kyle Classic in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Joining NAU’s men in the national poll, the Montana State Bobcats were selected No. 26 in the preseason top-30 by the USTFCCCA.
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