The Wayne State College women’s cross country team was picked to finish ninth in the 2024 NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Poll announced Thursday morning by the league office in Burnsville, Minnesota. The Wildcats collected 89 points in voting conducted by league coaches and sophomore Callie Kirchner was listed as Wayne State’s Athlete to Watch this season.
Wayne State graduated five of their top six runners from last year’s team that finished ninth at the NSIC Cross Country Championships.
Augustana was a unanimous vote as the team to beat in the NSIC this year garnering 196 points and 14 first-place votes. University of Mary was second with the remaining first-place vote (coaches cannot vote for own team) and 179 points. Defending NSIC champion Winona State was third at 157 points, just ahead of Minnesota State (155) and Sioux Falls (151).
Minnesota Duluth was sixth with 140 points followed by Minot State and Northern State tied for seventh at 106 points. Wayne State was ninth with 89 points and Bemidji State 10th at 80 points. MSU Moorhead (75), Southwest Minnesota State (43), Minnesota Crookston (39), St. Cloud State (32) and Concordia-St. Paul (27) closed out the preseason coaches’ poll.
Wayne State’s Athlete to Watch this season is sophomore Callie Kirchner from Millard West High School. She is the top returner for the Wildcats this season, finishing as Wayne State’s #4 runner at three of six meets last season. Kirchner posted a season-best 10th-place finish at the Wildcat Classic last season and was Wayne State’s #4 runner at the NCAA Central Regional in Joplin, Missouri to end the season.
Wayne State is scheduled to open the 2024 season on Friday, Sept. 6 at the Augustana Twilight Invitational in Sioux Falls.
2024 NSIC Women’s Cross Country Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1. Augustana (14) 196 pts.
2. University of Mary (1) 179 pts.
3. Winona State 157 pts.
4. Minnesota State 155 pts.
5. Sioux Falls 151 pts.
6. Minnesota Duluth 140 pts.
7. Minot State 106 pts.
7. Northern State 106 pts.
9. Wayne State 89 pts.
10. Bemidji State 80 pts.
11. MSU Moorhead 75 pts.
12. SW Minnesota St. 43 pts.
13. Minnesota Crookston 39 pts.
14. St. Cloud State 32 pts.
15. Concordia-St. Paul 27 pts.
first place votes in ( )
