KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announced its preseason rankings for the 2026 men's and women's cross country season.

Griffon Cross Country was selected eighth on the men's side and 11th on the women's side in the 2026 MIAA Preseason Coaches Polls.

The Griffon men collected 54 points to earn the No. 8 spot in the 12-team poll. Pittsburg State was picked to finish first with 114 points and five first-place votes, followed by Washburn with 108 points and three first-place votes. Nebraska Kearney and Missouri Southern tied for third with 90 points apiece.

On the women's side, MoWest received 44 points to place 11th in the 13-team preseason poll. Pittsburg State earned the top spot with 138 points and seven first-place votes, while Rogers State was second with 128 points and three first-place votes. Nebraska Kearney rounded out the top three with 116 points and one first-place vote.

The Griffons will have three opportunities to compete at the Griffon Cross Country Course in St. Joseph during the 2026 season. MoWest opens the season at home with the Griffon Invite on Sept. 4 before returning to its home course for the Griffon Invitational on Oct. 24. The Griffons will compete in St. Joseph once again on Nov. 7 for the MIAA Championships, hosted by Northwest Missouri State University.

2026 MIAA MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Pittsburg State [5] – 114 points
2. Washburn [3] – 108 points
T3. Nebraska Kearney [1] – 90 points
T3. Missouri Southern – 90 points
5. Northwest Missouri [3] – 84 points
6. Fort Hays State – 73 points
7. Rogers State – 60 points
8. MoWest – 54 points
9. Central Missouri – 45 points
10. Emporia State – 40 points
11. Newman – 19 points
12. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 15 points
[#] - First Place Votes

2026 MIAA WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Pittsburg State [7] – 138 points
2. Rogers State [3] – 128 points
3. Nebraska Kearney [1] – 116 points
4. Missouri Southern [1] – 107 points
5. Northwest Missouri – 103 points
6. Fort Hays State – 91 points
7. Washburn [1] – 86 points
8. Emporia State – 56 points
9. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 52 points
10. Central Missouri – 49 points
11. MoWest – 44 points
T12. Central Oklahoma – 22 points
T12. Newman – 22 points 
[#] - First Place Votes