GLIAC Unveils Cross Country Preseason Polls

• GLIAC Preseason Coaches' Poll Release

HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced its cross country Preseason Coaches' Poll Tuesday (Sept. 6). The No.16 ranked men of Michigan Tech earned third with 53 points, the Huskies were just behind No. 2 ranked Wayne State (54 points) and Grand Valley State was named tops in the preseason coaches' poll (64 points). The women were selected to finish fourth with 52 points. Ahead of the Huskies were Wayne State in third (67 points), Saginaw Valley State (69 points) and Grand Valley State (81 points).

Last weekend both the men's and women's squads picked up team wins at the Vic Godfrey Open, at a course the Huskies will see later this season for the Midwest Regional Championships.

In the women's 4,000m race, seniors Michelle Bollini and Sam Kurkowski combined as low-sticks for the Huskies, placing third (14:53.9) and fourth (14:55.5), respectively.

Rounding out the scoring for Michigan Tech were Elsa Huckles (11th), Hannah Loughlin (14th) and Cedar Gordon (16th). 

In the men's 6,000m race, a trio of Huskies ran sub-5 minute mile pace to take the top-3 places, in the race. Samuel Lange paced the course in 18:27.7 to claim the win. Close behind were teammates Clayton Sayen (18:30.9) and Drew Kolodge (18:33.8). The Black & Gold, ranked in the USTFCCCA Preseason Poll for the first time since 2019, beat out Atlantic 10 affiliate Loyola. 

Sophomore Tucker Ringhand placed seventh in the race, clocking in at 19:05.2.

Freshman Stephen Loparo rounded out the scoring for MTU with his 10th-place finish, crossing the line in 19:11.2.

The Huskies return to action on Friday, Sept. 23, heading to Minneapolis, Minnesota, for the historic Roy Griak Invitational.

2022 GLIAC Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll

2022 GLIAC Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll