GLIAC Releases Cross Country Preseason Polls

• USTFCCCA Women's National Rankings Poll
• USTFCCCA Men's National Rankings Poll
• GLIAC Pre-Season Coaches Poll Release

BAY CITY, Mich. – The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced its cross country Pre-season Coaches Poll Thursday. Michigan Tech men's cross country claimed the third spot with 61 points, behind Grand Valley State (81 points) and Saginaw Valley State (73 points). Husky women's cross country took fourth in the poll, tied with Northern Michigan at 68 points. No. 1 nationally ranked Grand Valley State seized the top position.

NATIONAL RANKING

In addition, both Tech cross country teams received National rankings in the USTFCCCA week one NCAA Division II poll. The Husky women were tabbed No. 26 in the nation and eighth in the Midwest region while the men came in fifth in the region and No. 27 nationally. The last time the Huskies were Nationally ranked was November 13, 2019, when both men's and women's cross country received No. 9 rankings in their respective polls.

The Huskies finished their first meet of the season Friday at the Wayne State Warrior Challenge at Willow Metropark. The men finished first in a ten-team field at an 8,000 meter distance while the women took second place in a 6,000 race.

Clayton Sayen (third), Samuel Lange (sixth), and Nick Niemi (ninth) were all top-10 individual finishers. Braden Reichl (11^th) and Tucker Ringhand (13^th) also helped the Huskies score 42 total points to edge out Wayne State (57 points) on the podium. Sayen posted the team's best time of 25:05.1

For the Michigan Tech women, Michelle Bollini led the way with a time of 23:15.2 and fourth place. Sam Kurkowski came in right behind in fifth (23:17.2) with Elsa Huckels 12^th, Ingrid Halverson 14^th, and Chloe Strach 15^th.

The fall season continues Friday, September 24 at Les Bolstad Golf Course for the Roy Griak Invitational, hosted by the University of Minnesota.