FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (August 18, 2025) – The Northern Arizona men's and women's cross country programs will open the 2025 season right where they left off last fall, on top of the Big Sky Conference.
In the preseason coaches' polls released Monday, both Lumberjack squads were ranked No. 1, with the women earning all 10 first-place votes and the men claiming 9-of-10. Coaches were permitted to vote for their own teams.
The NAU women enter the year chasing their seventh consecutive Big Sky championship. A season ago in Pocatello, the Lumberjacks delivered a perfect 15-point team score to extend their dominance in emphatic fashion.
On the men's side, NAU has strung together four straight conference titles dating back to 2021. The Lumberjacks scored 25 points in last year's meet, placing six runners in the top 10 to continue their grip on the league.
Together, the programs have combined to sweep the men's and women's championships in four consecutive seasons.
Montana State was picked second in both polls, with Weber State and Idaho State slotted third and fourth respectively on each side.
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2025 Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll (First-Place Votes in Parenthesis)
1. Northern Arizona (9) – 99
2. Montana State (1) – 90
3. Weber State – 81
4. Idaho State – 64
5. Eastern Washington – 56
6. Idaho – 55
7. Montana – 40
8. Sacramento State – 32
9. Portland State – 20
10. Northern Colorado – 13
2025 Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll (First-Place Votes in Parenthesis)
1.Northern Arizona (10) – 100
2. Montana State – 86
3. Weber State – 82
4. Idaho State – 61
T5. Eastern Washington – 53
T5. Idaho – 53
7. Sacramento State – 43
8. Northern Colorado – 36
9. Montana – 23
10. Portland State – 13
