SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The South Dakota State men and women were selected as the favorites to take home the Summit League Cross Country Championship crowns in the league’s preseason coaches’ poll released Tuesday by league officials.
The five-time Summit League champion Jackrabbits totaled 49 total points in the men's poll and received seven of eight possible first-place votes. South Dakota State returns all eight all-league honorees from last season’s championship team for the 2021 season including the 2020 Summit League runner-up Joseph Minor-Williams.
North Dakota State totaled 42 points and was picked to finish second while South Dakota earned 35 points for third place. North Dakota tallied 32 points and received the final first-place vote while league newcomer St. Thomas (23), Kansas City (16), Oral Roberts (15) and Western Illinois (12) rounded out the rankings on the men’s side.
On the women’s side, defending champion South Dakota State totaled 60 points and six of the nine first-place votes to edge North Dakota State (59) for the top spot of the poll. The Jackrabbits will be returning 2020 individual champion and Cross Country Athlete of the Year Leah Hansen for the 2021 season along with three all-league honorees.
North Dakota State earned the final three first-place votes while South Dakota tallied 51 points for third. North Dakota received 41 total points for fourth while St. Thomas (32), Omaha (29), Kansas City (24), Oral Roberts (16) and Western Illinois (12) rounded out the poll.
2021 Summit League Men’s Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll
| Rank |
School |
Points (1st) |
| 1. |
South Dakota State |
49 (7) |
| 2. |
North Dakota State |
42 |
| 3. |
South Dakota |
35 |
| 4. |
North Dakota |
32 (1) |
| 5. |
St. Thomas |
23 |
| 6. |
Kansas City |
16 |
| 7. |
Oral Roberts |
15 |
| 8. |
Western Illinois |
12 |
2021 Summit League Women’s Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll
| Rank |
School |
Points (1st) |
| 1. |
South Dakota State |
60 (6) |
| 2. |
North Dakota State |
59 (3) |
| 3. |
South Dakota |
51 |
| 4. |
North Dakota |
41 |
| 5. |
St. Thomas |
32 |
| 6. |
Omaha |
29 |
| 7. |
Kansas City |
24 |
| 8. |
Oral Roberts |
16 |
| 9. |
Western Illinois |
12 |
Men’s Athletes to Watch
Note: Athletes to Watch nominated by the league's head coaches
Tom Breuckman | South Dakota State | Senior
- During the 2020 season, finished as the Jack’s number two runner in both meets the squad completed
- Earned All-League honors for his third-place finish at the 2020 league championships
Joseph Minor-Williams | South Dakota State | Senior
- Led the Jackrabbits at the 2020 league championships with a runner-up 8K finish
- Clocked a time of 25:01.50 to finish second and aid in SDSU's winning 22-point team total
Isaac Huber | North Dakota State | Sophomore
- During the 2019-20 season, was among NDSU’s top four finishers at five meets
- Placed 13th at the 2019 League Championship earning All-League second-team honors
- Clocked a season-best 8K time of 25:28.60 at the conference meet as the No. 3 finisher for NDSU
Charles Babcock | South Dakota |Redshirt Sophomore
- Finished 22nd at the 2019 League Championship with a time of 26:14.10
- Scored for USD in four meets and finished in the top-seven for all six races
- Posted a season-best 8K time of 25:43.3 at the Bradley Pink Classic to finish in 72nd place
Merga Gemeda | South Dakota | Redshirt Junior
- Earned All-League second-team honors with an eighth-place finish at the 2019 League Championship
- Posted a season-best 8K time of 24:50.1 at the Bradley Pink Classic with a 17th-place finish
- Led South Dakota at the 2019 NCAA Midwest Regional with a 49th place finish
Patrick Kipkemboi | North Dakota | Junior
- Named the 2020 Summit League Cross Country Athlete of the Year
- NCAA Cross Country Championship qualifier
- 2020 Individual Summit League Cross Country champion after clocking a time of 24:57.40
Luke Labatte | North Dakota | Junior
- Earned All-League second-team honors at the 2020 league championships
- Finished 10th at the 2020 league championships running a time of 25:44.48
- Helped UND to a third-place team finish, the highest place finish for North Dakota in its Division I history
Zach Haire | St. Thomas | Sophomore
- Notched a 10K personal best of 30:04.78 during his freshman campaign in outdoor track
- Was an NCAA DIII Championship Qualifier last season
- Finished 10th at the national outdoor meet in the 10K with a time of 30:58.88
Moe Smith | St. Thomas | Junior
- Qualified for the NCAA DIII Outdoor Track and Field Championships last season in the 1,500-meter
- Won the 1,500-meter at the MIAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships with a time of 3:55.06
Josh Sanders | Kansas City | Senior
- Competed in six meets during the 2019 season
- Earned a season-best 20th place finish at the Bob Timmons Classic with a 21:12.6 finish
- Ended the 2019 WAC Championships third on the team and 36th overall with a mark of 26:35.70
Cody Jones | Oral Roberts | Graduate Student
- Before transferring to Oral Roberts, clocked a personal best 8K time of 25:44 at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma
- Owns a personal best time of 32:59 in the 10K
Emmanuel Kipngetich | Oral Roberts | Senior
- During the 2019 season, won the UCA Cross Country Challenge with a personal best 6K time of 18:59.1
- Earned All-League honors finishing 12th at the 2019 League Championship with a personal best 8K time of 25:23.6
- Competed at the 2019 NCAA Midwest Region Championship finishing the 10K in 32:16.6
Ackeen Colley | Western Illinois | Senior
- Was named the 2021 Summit League Indoor Track & Field Most Outstanding Championship Performer
- At the 2021 NCAA Indoor Championship earned first team All-American honors with a six-place finish in the 800-meter
- Won the 800m at the 2021 League Outdoor Track and Field Championship with a time of 1:51.75
Habibu Moise | Western Illinois | Freshman
- Clocked a time of 4:31.92 in the mile at the League Indoor Track and Field Championship
- Competed in the 3,000m at the 2021 League Indoor Track and Field Championship and clocked an 8:54.32
- Finished the 5,000m at the 2021 League Outdoor Track and Field Championship in a time of 15:05.70
Women’s Athletes to Watch
Note: Athletes to Watch nominated by the league's head coaches
Anna Donnay | South Dakota State | Graduate Student
- Took third overall at the 2020 league championships with a time of 21:58
- Helped the Jackrabbits to a league title and a low total of 22 points
Leah Hansen | South Dakota State | Junior
- Earned All-League honors as the individual champion at the 2020 League Championship with a time of 21:45.60
- Earned a berth to the NCAA National Championships where she recorded a season-best mark in the 6K of 21:40.60
Kelby Anderson | North Dakota State | Senior
- 2019 Summit League individual champion and Cross Country Athlete of the Year
- Placed seventh overall at the 2019 NCAA Midwest Regional, her second straight top-10 finish at the regional meet
- Owns five of the top 10 fastest 6K performances in NDSU cross country history
Abrielle Jirele | South Dakota | Redshirt Freshman
- During her high school career competed at the 2019 Minnesota Cross Country Championships
- Finished her senior season with a personal best 5,000-meter time of 18:55.6 at the Nike Heartland Regional
Abby Rippera | South Dakota | Redshirt Junior
- During the 2019 season, garnered All-Midwest Region honors with an eighth-place finish at the NCAA Midwest Regional
- Placed fourth at the League Championship with a time of 21:24.7 to secure All-League first-team honors
- Led the Coyote women at all seven meets during the 2019 season and placed in the top-10 of each race
Ellyssa Peterson | North Dakota | Graduate Student
- Earned All-League first-team accolades with a fifth-place finish at the 2020 League Championship
- Was the top finisher for UND at the League Championship clocking a 22:15.59 to place fifth
- Helped UND to a second-place team finish, the highest placing for the Fighting Hawks in its Division I history
McKenzie Burian | North Dakota | Junior
- Earned All-League second-team honors at the 2020 League Championship with a ninth-place finish
- Clocked a 6K time of 22:33.4 at the 2020 League Championship
Olivia Moll | St. Thomas | Junior
- Clocked a personal best 6K time of 22:33.6 at the 2019 MIAC Conference Championships for 11th place
- Took 15th place at the 2019 NCAA Division III Central Region Cross Country Championships with a 6K time of 23:05.4
Sara Miller | St. Thomas | Senior
- Earned 17th at the 2019 MIAC Conference Championships with a personal best 6K time of 22:47.1
- Took 42nd place at the 2019 NCAA Division III Central Region Cross Country Championships with a 6K time of 23:58.3
Maya Nachtigal | Omaha | Sophomore
- During the 2019 season appeared in five meets for Omaha
- Had a season-best 5K time of 19:53.18 at the Joe Piane Invitational at Notre Dame
- Put up a season-best 6K time of 23:54.0 at the Bradley Pink Classic
Joanna Topham | Omaha |Senior
- In 2019 appeared in five meets, scoring in four for the Mavericks
- Had a season-best 5K time of 19:08.55 at the Joe Piane Invitational at Notre Dame
- Clocked a season-best 6K time of 23:11.7 at the Bradley Pink Classic
Katherine Hanners | Kansas City | Graduate Student
- Competed in five meets during the 2018 season
- Took 12th overall at the 2018 WAC Championship with a personal-best time of 21:24.0 in the 6K
- Took 84th overall at the 2018 NCAA Regional Championship
Alexa Granderson | Oral Roberts | Senior
- During the 2019 season completed six races, including three top-20 finishes
- Ran a personal-best 5K at the MSSU Southern Stampede finishing in 19:01.1
- Finished 46th at the 2019 League Championship with a 6K time of 24:19.0
Madison Trevena | Western Illinois | Freshman
- Named Athlete of the Year as a sophomore and junior in high school
- Ran the 800m, 1500m and 3000m in high school
Maleigha Huston | Western Illinois | Freshman
- Has a high school best mark of 2:16 in the 800m
- Achieved a high school best time of 4:38 in the 1500m
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