Preseason NSIC Men's Cross Country Coaches' Poll 8/18/22
Wayne State was picked 11th in the 2022 Preseason NSIC Men's Cross Country Coaches' Poll announced Thursday morning by the league office in Burnsville, Minnesota. The 'Cats collected 54 points in voting by league coaches and returns seven runners from last year's squad that was 11th at the NSIC Championships held in Wayne.
Two-time defending NSIC champion Augustana was voted unanimously as the team to beat this season with 13 first-place votes and 169 points. Sioux Falls was second at 145 points, just ahead of third place University of Mary at 142 points. Minnesota Duluth received the remaining first place tally and had 135 points with Minnesota State fifth at 129 points.
Winona State was sixth with 105 points while MSU Moorhead (93), Minot State (83), Northern State (80) and Concordia-St. Paul (64) closed out the top 10 teams.
Wayne State was 11th with 54 points followed by Minnesota Crookston (32), Southwest Minnesota State (26) and Upper Iowa (17 pts).
Brandon Mundorf, a junior from Springview (North Central HS), was listed as Wayne State's Athlete to Watch this season. He was the top Wildcat finisher at last year's season-ending NCAA Central Regional and had a season-best 11th place finish at the Morningside Invite.
Wayne State opens the 2022 season at the Augustana Twilight Invite on Friday, September 2nd in Sioux Falls.
2022 Preseason NSIC Men's Cross Country Coaches Poll
1. Augustana (13) 169 pts.
2. Sioux Falls 145 pts.
3. University of Mary 142 pts.
4. Minnesota Duluth (1) 135 pts.
5. Minnesota State 129 pts.
6. Winona State 105 pts.
7. MSU Moorhead 93 pts.
8. Minot State 83 pts.
9. Northern State 80 pts.
10. Concordia-St. Paul 64 pts.
11. Wayne State 54 pts.
12. Minnesota Crookston 32 pts.
13. Southwest Minnesota State 26 pts.
14. Upper Iowa 17 pts.
first-place votes in ( )
