KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Heading into the 2026 cross country season, the Central Missouri Mules are picked ninth, while the Jennies check in the tenth spot according to the MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll announced on Friday, Aug. 28, by the conference office.
 
The Mules received 45 points in the poll, one spot behind Missouri Western, which received 54 points and ranked eighth. Pittsburg State earned the top spot with 114 points, including five first-place votes, followed by Washburn (108 points), Nebraska-Kearney (90 points), Missouri Southern (90 points), and Northwest Missouri (84 points) round out the top five.
 
Fort Hays State is picked sixth with 73 points, while Rogers State garnered 60 points in seventh. Emporia State (40 points), Newman (19 points), and Arkansas-Fort Smith (15 points) conclude the poll.

On the women's side, the Jens received 49 points in 10^th place, followed by Missouri Western (44 points), Central Oklahoma (22 points), and Newman (22 points).
 
Pittsburg State claimed the top spot in the poll, securing 138 points, including seven first-place votes, with Rogers State (128 points), Nebraska-Kearney (116 points), Missouri Southern (107 points), and Northwest Missouri (103 points) rounding out the top five.
 
Fort Hays State is picked sixth with 91 points, followed by Washburn (86 points), Emporia State (56 points), and Arkansas-Fort Smith (52 points) complete the poll.
 
The Mules and Jennies begin the 2026 season on Friday, Sept. 4, as they compete at the Griffon Invite, hosted by Missouri Western, with the women's race beginning at 7:00 p.m. and the men's race to follow at 7:30 p.m., from the MWSU Cross Country Course in St. Joseph, Mo.
 
2026 MIAA MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Pittsburg State [5] – 114 points
2. Washburn [3] – 108 points
T3. Nebraska Kearney [1] – 90 points
T3. Missouri Southern – 90 points
5. Northwest Missouri [3] – 84 points
6. Fort Hays State – 73 points
7. Rogers State – 60 points
8. Missouri Western – 54 points
9. Central Missouri – 45 points
10. Emporia State – 40 points
11. Newman – 19 points
12. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 15 points
[#] - First Place Votes
 
2026 MIAA WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Pittsburg State [7] – 138 points
2. Rogers State [3] – 128 points
3. Nebraska Kearney [1] – 116 points
4. Missouri Southern [1] – 107 points
5. Northwest Missouri – 103 points
6. Fort Hays State – 91 points
7. Washburn – 86 points
8. Emporia State – 56 points
9. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 52 points
10. Central Missouri – 49 points
11. Missouri Western – 44 points
T12. Central Oklahoma – 22 points
T12. Newman – 22 points 
[#] - First Place Votes