The University of Minnesota Duluth men's and women's cross country teams were both picked to finish fifth in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference preseason coaches poll announced by the conference Monday morning.


The Bulldog women, who finished fourth in the NSIC Conference meet in 2024, had graduate Shaelyn Hostager named an NSIC Athlete to Watch. Hostager, a native of Dubuque, Iowa who transferred to UMD last fall but only competed in indoor and outdoor track, is both the reigning 5.000 meter and 10,000 meter outdoor track  NSIC Conference champion.


"This team is in a great spot and I'm looking forward to how we connect and build upon a solid foundation," said fourth-year head coach Brette Jensen. "We have an incredible freshmen class ready to make an impact right away and our returners have created an environment where the energy is high and there's a strong sense of purpose in everything we do. With the leadership of our returners and enthusiasm of our newcomers, this group has the ability to do something special this fall."


On the men's side, the Bulldogs, who ran to a third place NSIC finish a season ago, placed junior Noah Foster on the NSIC Athlete to Watch list. Foster, a product of Cromwell, Minn., finished 31st overall in the 2024 conference meet and 118th in the NCAA Regional.


"I'm excited for this group as we have many talented newcomers paired with our seasoned returners who have stepped up over this last year in many different capacities, said Jensen. "They are committed and connected to one another and I'm excited to see how our season builds this fall."


The Bulldogs will hit the course for the first time on Friday, Sept. 12 in Prescott, Wis. at the River Town Invitational.