Lopers Second & Second in MIAA Polls

Kearney, Neb. – Both Nebraska Kearney cross country teams have been picked second in the 2023 MIAA preseason coaches' polls (women … men).

The league's head coaches (11 men and 13 women) vote on the makeup of the poll and cannot vote for their own team.

The UNK women, fresh off its' first-ever NCAA Championships appearance, garnered 130 points and one first place vote. Pittsburg State (139 points, 10 first place) is the favorite with Northwest Missouri ranked third (115).

Last fall, the Lopers were second at the MIAA Championships, fourth at NCAA Central Regionals and 22nd at the NCAA meet in Seattle. Pitt is the defending league champ.

Redshirt junior Grace Bonsall (Kearney) and junior Mara Hemmer (Fremont) lead the way as both earned 2022 All-MIAA honors. Junior Jordan Soto-Stopak (Albion) and sophomore Lexi Liess (Overland Park, Kan.) joined them at nationals last December.

The men were nationally-ranked throughout the 2022 season and finished 22nd at the NCAA's. They were runners up at both regionals and conference with Missouri Southern the defending MIAA Champ.

UNK tallied 88 points and three first place nods with MSSU (96 points, seven first place) just ahead. Pittsburg State (83) is a close third.

Head coach Brady Bonsall has two returning All-Region qualifiers in Myles Bach (Cedar Rapids, Ia.) and Brett Schoenhofer (Andover, Kan.). Fellow juniors Sam Lueders (Blair) and Payton Davis (David City) also were part of UNK's seven runners at the national championships.

The Blue & Gold heads to St. Joseph, Mo., next Friday night (Sept. 1) for the first-ever Griffon Twilight meet. The women run at 7 p.m. (5k) with the men going at 7:20 p.m. (6k).

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Players Mentioned

Grace Bonsall: Redshirt Sophomore

Mara Hemmer: Sophomore

Jordan Soto-Stopak: Sophomore

Lexi Liess: Freshman

Myles Bach: Redshirt Sophomore

Payton Davis: Sophomore

Sam Lueders: Redshirt Sophomore

Brett Schoenhofer: Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Grace Bonsall
: Redshirt Sophomore

Mara Hemmer
: Sophomore

Jordan Soto-Stopak
: Sophomore

Lexi Liess
: Freshman

Myles Bach
: Redshirt Sophomore

Payton Davis
: Sophomore

Sam Lueders
: Redshirt Sophomore

Brett Schoenhofer
: Sophomore