Women's Cross Country | 8/28/2026 11:14:00 AM

August 28, 2026-The Emporia State women were picked eighth and the men tenth in the MIAA Cross Country Preseason Coaches Polls released by the Association.
 
Coach Justin Hill welcomes back five of the top six men and four of the top five women runners from last year and have a total of 20 men and 16 women in the program this year.
 
The harriers will open with the ESU Alumni Run exhibition tonight at Champions Landing in Emporia. The two mile evening run will serve as a tune up for the Hornets and is open to anyone to run in for free. The time trial will be followed by dinner for the team and alums at Champs Landing.
 
The Hornets will open the regular season on Saturday, September 5 at the JK Gold Classic hosted by Wichita State. This is the ninth consecutive season Emporia State has opened the regular season at the JK Gold Classic.
 
 
2026 MIAA WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Pittsburg State [7] – 138 points
2. Rogers State [3] – 128 points
3. Nebraska Kearney [1] – 116 points
4. Missouri Southern [1] – 107 points
5. Northwest Missouri – 103 points
6. Fort Hays State – 91 points
7. Washburn [1] – 86 points
8. Emporia State – 56 points
9. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 52 points
10. Central Missouri – 49 points
11. Missouri Western – 44 points
T12. Central Oklahoma – 22 points
T12. Newman – 22 points 
[#] - First Place Votes
 
2026 MIAA MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Pittsburg State [5] – 114 points
2. Washburn [3] – 108 points
T3. Nebraska Kearney [1] – 90 points
T3. Missouri Southern – 90 points
5. Northwest Missouri [3] – 84 points
6. Fort Hays State – 73 points
7. Rogers State – 60 points
8. Missouri Western – 54 points
9. Central Missouri – 45 points
10. Emporia State – 40 points
11. Newman – 19 points
12. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 15 points
[#] - First Place Votes