FARMINGTON, Utah (Aug. 22, 2024) – Ready to defend its titles once again, the Northern Arizona men's and women's cross country programs were unanimous preseason favorites in the Big Sky Conference Coaches' Polls, as announced by the league office this morning.
Both programs claimed all available first-place votes from the league's coaches, who could not vote for their own teams. Montana State was picked to finish second in both polls, followed by Weber State who was predicted third in both as well. The results to the 2024-25 Big Sky Coaches' Poll can be found below.
Northern Arizona is coming off runner-up finishes at the 2023 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships on both the men's and women's side. A dominate cross country season saw the squads place first at the prestigious Nuttycombe Invitational, the Big Sky Championships and NCAA Mountain Regionals.
The NAU men look to defend its Big Sky title for the fourth-straight season while the women will go for their sixth. As a program, the Jacks will compete for their fourth-straight sweep and the 21
st overall sweep in program history in November at the championships in Pocatello, Idaho. Last season, the women's team made history by earning the lowest point total in women's conference championship history, sweeping the top seven places.
Two-time individual Big Sky Champion
Elise Stearns returns for the Jacks this year, while the men look to have an individual champion for the ninth-straight season.
The 2024 cross country season is just around the corner, beginning with the annual George Kyte Classic in Flagstaff, Ariz., on Aug. 31.
NAU will compete in the conference championships on Nov. 1 in Pocatello, Idaho, NCAA Mountain Regionals on Nov. 15 in Reno, Nev., and the 2024 NCAA DI National Championships are set for Nov. 23 in Madison, Wisc.
To stay up to date with the Northern Arizona cross country programs, follow the teams on X, Instagram, and Twitter.
2024 Men's Cross Country Coaches' Poll
1) Northern Arizona (10) – 100
2) Montana State – 90
3) Weber State – 80
4) Idaho – 67
5) Eastern Washington – 61
6) Montana – 50
7) Idaho State – 36
8) Northern Colorado – 30
9) Sacramento State – 20
10) Portland State – 16
2024 Big Women's Cross Country Coaches' Poll
1) Northern Arizona (10) – 100
2) Montana State – 89
3) Weber State – 78
4) Idaho – 71
5) Eastern Washington – 58
6) Northern Colorado – 41
7) Sacramento State – 36
T8) Idaho State – 31
T8) Montana – 31
10) Portland State – 15
