Upcoming Event: Men's Cross Country at Augustana Twilight on September 4, 2026 at 9:15 p.m.
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9:15 p.m.
Men's Cross Country
at Augustana Twilight
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South Dakota State University Athletics
MEN PICKED TO WIN 11th CONSECUTIVE TITLE, WOMEN SELECTED SECOND IN SUMMIT LEAGUE PRESEASON POLL
9/2/2026 11:10:00 AM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The South Dakota State men's cross country team was picked to win its 11th consecutive Summit League title, while the Jackrabbit women were selected to finish second in the Summit League preseason poll, which was announced by the league on Wednesday, Sep. 2.
The men got five of the seven first place votes, totaling 35 points to edge out North Dakota who received 32 points. In 2025, SDSU captured their 10th consecutive conference title, with UND placing second.
On the women's side, the Jacks placed second in the 2025 Summit League Cross Country Championship and were picked to finish in the same spot this season. North Dakota was selected to repeat as champions, recording five first place votes.
Along with the Summit League preseason poll, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association released their regional rankings for the 2026 campaign. The SDSU men and women each received rankings inside the top 15 of the Midwest region. After a top 10 finish last season, the men begin this season at the 11 slot. The women finished in 10th last year and begin this year in the same spot.
Cashton Johnson and Dale Johnson were tabbed as male athletes to watch in the Summit League. Each runner finished in the top five individually at last year's conference championship, both earning first team all-Summit League honors.
The female athletes to watch for South Dakota State are Meghan Ford and Eleni Lovgren. A back-to-back first team all-Summit League selection, Ford finished runner-up individually at last year's conference meet. Lovgren placed seventh at the 2025 championship, while also being named to the all-Summit League first team.
2026 SUMMIT LEAGUE MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON POLL
2026 SUMMIT LEAGUE WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON POLL
The men got five of the seven first place votes, totaling 35 points to edge out North Dakota who received 32 points. In 2025, SDSU captured their 10th consecutive conference title, with UND placing second.
On the women's side, the Jacks placed second in the 2025 Summit League Cross Country Championship and were picked to finish in the same spot this season. North Dakota was selected to repeat as champions, recording five first place votes.
Along with the Summit League preseason poll, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association released their regional rankings for the 2026 campaign. The SDSU men and women each received rankings inside the top 15 of the Midwest region. After a top 10 finish last season, the men begin this season at the 11 slot. The women finished in 10th last year and begin this year in the same spot.
Cashton Johnson and Dale Johnson were tabbed as male athletes to watch in the Summit League. Each runner finished in the top five individually at last year's conference championship, both earning first team all-Summit League honors.
The female athletes to watch for South Dakota State are Meghan Ford and Eleni Lovgren. A back-to-back first team all-Summit League selection, Ford finished runner-up individually at last year's conference meet. Lovgren placed seventh at the 2025 championship, while also being named to the all-Summit League first team.
2026 SUMMIT LEAGUE MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON POLL
| Team | Score (1st place votes) | |
| 1. | South Dakota State | 35 (5) |
| 2. | North Dakota | 32 (2) |
| 3. | North Dakota State | 26 |
| 4. | Oral Roberts | 16 |
| 4. | South Dakota | 16 |
| 4. | St. Thomas | 16 |
| 7. | Kansas City | 6 |
2026 SUMMIT LEAGUE WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON POLL
| Team | Score (1st place votes) | |
| 1. | North Dakota | 47 (5) |
| 2. | South Dakota State | 42 (2) |
| 3. | North Dakota State | 39 (1) |
| 4. | South Dakota | 31 |
| 5. | St. Thomas | 23 |
| 6. | Oral Roberts | 19 |
| 7. | Omaha | 13 |
| 8. | Kansas City | 10 |
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
Monday, May 18
Saturday, May 16
Saturday, May 16
Friday, May 15