Lopers Third in MIAA Preseason Poll

Men's Cross Country 8/29/2025 11:41:00 AM

Lopers Third in MIAA Preseason Poll

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announced its preseason rankings for the 2025 men's cross country season.

MIAA head coaches selected the league's defending champion, Northwest Missouri, to take home the 2025 crown.

Northwest Missouri collected the majority of first-place votes and totaled 118 points to secure the top spot on the 2025 MIAA men's cross country preseason coaches poll. The 2024 Bearcat squad made history at last year's MIAA Cross Country Championships, capturing the program's first conference title since 1972. The Bearcats went on to place 10th at the 2024 NCAA Division II national championship in Sacramento, California.

The Gorillas of Pittsburg State were picked second in the preseason poll with 111 total points and the remaining first-place selections (2). Pitt State was the runner-up of the 2024 MIAA men's cross country championship but went on to lead the league at the national championships, placing seventh overall.

Nebraska Kearney finished third in the poll with 95 points, followed closely by Washburn in fourth with 91 points and Missouri Southern concluded the coaches' top five with 79 points.

UNK finished 25th at the 2024 NCAA Division II Championships, its third trip to nationals in the last four years. Head coach Brady Bonsall has some veteran talent to replace but Omaha senior Nick Abdalla (2023 All-Region & two-time All-MIAA), junior Juan Garcia (Grand Island) and sophomores Mesuidi Ejerso (South Sioux City) and Carter Hohlen (Lincoln) return. The Lopers start the fall next weekend at Mahoney State Park.

The complete results of the 2025 MIAA men's cross country preseason coaches poll are listed below. The 2025 NCAA Division II cross country season officially kicks off next week with MIAA teams competing in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma. Pittsburg State University will host the 2025 MIAA men's and women's cross country championships, set for Saturday, October 25, at the Four Oaks Golf Course in Pittsburg, Kansas.

To view the 2025 schedules for all 12 MIAA men's cross country programs, visit theMIAA.com/mcrosscountry.

2025 MIAA MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Northwest Missouri [10] – 118 points
2. Pittsburg State [2] – 111 points
3. Nebraska Kearney – 95 points
4. Washburn – 91 points
5. Missouri Southern – 79 points
6. Central Missouri – 69 points
7. Missouri Western – 63 points
8. Fort Hays State – 59 points
9. Rogers State – 42 points
10. Emporia State – 32 points
11. Newman – 22 points
12. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 12 points
[#] - Number of First Place Votes

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Players Mentioned

Nick Abdalla: Redshirt Junior

Juan Garcia: Sophomore

Mesuidi Ejerso: Redshirt Freshman

Carter Hohlen: Freshman

Players Mentioned

Nick Abdalla
: Redshirt Junior

Juan Garcia
: Sophomore

Mesuidi Ejerso
: Redshirt Freshman

Carter Hohlen
: Freshman