The 2025-26 collegiate sports season begins to pick up business this week.
Minnesota State’s cross country squads are no exception. Both the men’s and women’s teams saw where they sit in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference’s Preseason Coaches polls. Here’s what to expect from both squads.
Men’s team
The Minnesota State University men’s cross country team has been ranked fourth in the NSIC poll for the 2025 season. Five-time defending champions, Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, were picked to win the NSIC title. Augustana garnered 165 points with 10 first-place votes. MSU Moorhead and the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, placed second and third, respectively. Minnesota State University accumulated 128 points, positioning them just ahead of the University of Minnesota Duluth, which completed the top five with 125 points.
“With a strong, experienced core of upperclassmen leading the way and a big group of talented freshmen ready to add depth and energy, there’s a real sense of excitement heading into this cross country season,” head coach Ben Held said. “The foundation is solid, the potential is high, and every run brings us one step closer to something big.”
The Mavericks are set to kick off the season with the Augie Twilight on Sep. 5 at Yankton Trail Park. Notably, freshman Wallace Kigen, a transfer from El Paso Community College, was named MSU’s player to watch.
“Wallace will be a sophomore transfer who placed 23rd at the 2024 JUCO Cross Country Championships,” Held said. “With national meet experience, fast times and proven toughness, he’s poised to make an immediate impact for MSU and strengthen the front end of the lineup this fall.”
Women’s team
MSU women’s cross country team is ranked fourth in NSIC 2025 poll. The Mavericks secured their fourth-place position with 193 points and received two first-place votes. This ranking places them just behind the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, which garnered 199 points and one first-place vote. Leading the poll, Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was predicted to win the conference, securing 217 points and 10 first-place votes, followed by Winona State with 202 points and three first-place votes.
The Mavericks are coming off a fifth-place finish at the NSIC Championships last season. The team is returning five of their top seven runners, including All-NSIC and All-Region performers Alexi MacDonald and Madison Matzek. Additionally, they are bolstered by the arrival of Ashley Overgaauw, an NCAA Cross Country All-American and the NSIC Indoor Mile Champion last season. Overgaauw has been highlighted as an NSIC Player to Watch for the upcoming season.
“I am excited to see what the women can accomplish this season,” head coach Jen Blue said. “We have a tremendous amount of potential. We have five of our top seven returning including All-NSIC and All-Region performers Alexi MacDonald and Madison Matzek, along with the addition of Ashley Overgaauw who was an NCAA Cross Country All-American last season. In addition to that group we have a talented group of freshmen who are ready to come in and make an impact on the team.”
MSU will begin its season at the Augustana Twilight, a 5K race Sept. 5 in Sioux Falls at Yankton Trail Park.