KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Fort Hays State men's cross country team heads into the 2025 season ranked eighth in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, released Friday (Aug. 29) by the conference office.
 
The Tigers accumulated 59 points in the balloting process, just four points behind seventh-ranked Missouri Western. Northwest Missouri State, the defending MIAA Champions, collected 10 of 12 first-place votes to lead the way.
 
The men return seven athletes who finished in the scoring five for the Tigers at least once last fall, led by All-MIAA honoree Christian Darrah who was in the top five of all six races last season. Cole Krug and Noah Morenz also return after both were in the top five three times last fall.
 
The Tigers will open the season next Saturday (Sept. 6) when they travel to Wichita, Kan. for Wichita State's JK Gold Classic. FHSU will compete twice more on the road before concluding the regular season at home with the FHSU Tiger Open on October 25.


 
2025 MIAA MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Northwest Missouri [10] – 118 points
2. Pittsburg State [2] – 111 points
3. Nebraska Kearney – 95 points
4. Washburn – 91 points
5. Missouri Southern – 79 points
6. Central Missouri – 69 points
7. Missouri Western – 63 points
8. Fort Hays State – 59 points
9. Rogers State – 42 points
10. Emporia State – 32 points
11. Newman – 22 points
12. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 12 points
[#] - Number of First Place Votes