Men's Cross Country Picked Second by GPAC Coaches

The Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) released the 2024 Men's Cross Country Coaches' Preseason Poll on Tuesday. Defending conference champion, Dordt, was tabbed in the top spot with 100 points and 10 first place votes.

Doane was picked second with 86 points and received one first place vote. The Tigers, under the direction of Brad Jenny, placed second last year with their Top 7 runners finishing in the Top 20 of the conference race.

Among the returners for the team is a pair of NAIA All-Americans in Emmanuel Yego and Nelson Ruto. Thomas Oliver, an All-Conference honoree last year, is also back as eight of the team's 10 runners from the conference meet return.

The season opens for the Tigers on September 6 at the Augustana Twilight in Sioux Falls, S.D.

The following is the preseason poll released by the conference:

1. Dordt (100 pts/10 1st place votes)
2. Doane (86/1)
3. Concordia (81)
t4. Mount Marty (70)
t4. Northwestern (70)
6. Midland (55)
7. Morningside (47)
8. Hastings (35)
9. Dakota Wesleyan (28)
10. Waldorf (17)
11. Briar Cliff (16)