ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Griffon Men's and Women's Cross Country are set to begin the 2026 season at home Friday, Sept. 4, hosting the Griffon Twilight at the Griffon Cross Country Course in St. Joseph.
The women's 5K is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., followed by the men's 6K at 7:30 p.m.
Friday's meet marks the first competition of the season for both Griffon programs and gives MoWest an opportunity to open the year on familiar ground.
Head Coach Sean Gosewisch is looking forward to seeing both the Griffons' newcomers and returners compete for the first time this fall.
"It's nice to be able to open up at home and get some early racing done on familiar ground," Gosewisch said. "We have a lot of new athletes who I'm excited to see get after it, and I have high hopes for the returners to guide them. It may be a smaller meet, but the opportunity for great things is still there."
Preseason Polls
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.
Friday, Sept. 4 | Griffon Twilight
Women's 5K – 7:00 p.m. | Men's 6K – 7:30 p.m.
St. Joseph, Mo. | Griffon Cross Country Course
Live Results: https://mo.milesplit.com/meets/779689-griffon-twilight-2026
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
