SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The North Dakota State women’s and men’s cross country teams were both picked to finish second in the 2025 preseason polls released by The Summit League on Wednesday.
South Dakota State earned the top spot in the women’s preseason coaches’ poll with 45 points, and the Bison came in second with 42. North Dakota was voted third with 37 points.
SDSU was also picked to win the men’s title with 36 points. NDSU was projected second with 30 points, and North Dakota was third with 22.
The Bison women have captured five conference team cross country championships since 2011. NDSU returns the defending Summit League champion and Cross Country Athlete of the Year in senior Reagan Baesler, as well as Jenna DeBates, Jaelyn Miller, Reagan Berg, and Aleah Miller from the scoring five at last year’s conference and regional meets.
The NDSU men have finished as the runner-up at the conference meet seven times in the past eight years. The top returners for the Bison men include Jacob Knodle, Ethan Moe, and Will Gerber.
This year’s Summit League Cross Country Championships will be held Nov. 1 in Omaha, Neb.
2025 Summit League Women’s Cross Country Preseason Poll
| Team | Score (1st place) | |
| 1. | South Dakota State | 45 (4) |
| 2. | North Dakota State | 42 (2) |
| 3. | North Dakota | 37 (2) |
| 4. | South Dakota | 34 |
| 5. | St. Thomas | 27 |
| 6. | Omaha | 16 |
| 6. | Oral Roberts | 16 |
| 8. | Kansas City | 7 |
2025 Summit League Men’s Cross Country Preseason Poll
| Team | Score (1st place) | |
| 1. | South Dakota State | 36 (6) |
| 2. | North Dakota State | 30 (1) |
| 3. | North Dakota | 22 |
| 4. | Oral Roberts | 19 |
| 5. | South Dakota | 18 |
| 6. | St. Thomas | 16 |
| 7. | Kansas City | 6 |
https://gobison.com/news/2025/8/27/womens-cross-country-bison-cross-country-picked-2nd-in-summit-league-preseason-polls.aspx