GPAC Releases 2024 Cross Country Coaches’ Preseason Polls

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) released its 2024 Preseason Men's and Women's Cross Country Polls following a vote of the league's coaches. Midland University was picked to finish eighth in the women's poll and is projected sixth on the men's side. Dordt University's men's and women's squads were picked atop each poll a year after sweeping the conference titles for the second straight season in 2023.

The Warrior men are looking to build off their seventh-place finish in last year's conference meet. Midland returns its complete team from last year including senior Jonathan Mahoney who placed 11th and Lucas Hjortkjaer who was 24th. This year's team has a strong veteran presence with seniors Felix Grave, Andrew Nunez, and Henri Stoeckermann as well as junior Braden Taylor, who transferred to MU last spring.

Midland has a mix of returners and newcomers on the women's side. Returning are Magdalena De La O and Nevaeh Sarabia. The duo was among the top three on the team last year behind two-time national qualifier Myia Johnson. Joining them are a pair of freshmen, Madison Bergstrom and Danika Leuenbeger. This year's team will look to better their ninth-place finish in last year's conference race.

The 2024 cross country season will kick off in just over two weeks when the Warriors travel to Sioux Falls, South Dakota for the Augustana Twilight. The race under the lights will take place at Yankton Trails Park on Friday, September 6. The women will run a 5k course beginning at 8:30 p.m. with the men taking on a four-mile course at approximately 9:00 p.m. For a complete look at the 2024 GPAC Preseason Polls, click here.