KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announced the results of its preseason coaches poll for the 2024 men’s cross country season. Defending MIAA champion Pittsburg State was picked to finish at the top of the league again this season.
 
Pittsburg State collected seven first-place votes and 113 total points from MIAA head coaches in the 2024 men’s cross country preseason coaches poll. The Gorillas captured the program’s second MIAA cross country crown at the 2023 championship and went on to place 11th at the NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championship.
 
Northwest Missouri was picked second in the preseason poll with 110 points and four first-place votes. The Bearcats placed third in last year’s MIAA championship race and joined the Gorillas with a top-25 finish (24th) at the 2023 national championship.
 
Washburn was selected third in the poll with 93 points. The Ichabods were the league’s 2023 runners-up, led by the defending individual champion David Kibet who captured the MIAA crown in 24:00.92.
 
Missouri Southern tabbed the remaining first place vote and 91 points for the No. 4 spot in the poll while Nebraska Kearney concluded the coaches’ top five with 86 points for the Lopers.
 
The Mules of Central Missouri were picked No. 6 with 71 points, followed by Emporia State at No. 7 (56 points), Fort Hays State at No. 8 (54 points), Missouri Western at No. 9 (49 points) and Newman at No. 10 (30 points). Rogers State and Arkansas-Fort Smith concluded the 2024 coaches poll in 11th and 12th, respectively.
 
The 2024 MIAA men’s cross country season begins Thursday, September 5, with the 2024 MIAA cross country championships set for October 26 in St. Joseph, Missouri. To view a complete schedule for all 12 MIAA men’s cross country programs, click here.
 
2024 MIAA MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Pittsburg State [7] – 113 points
2. Northwest Missouri [4] – 110 points
3. Washburn – 93 points
4. Missouri Southern [1] – 91 points 
5. Nebraska Kearney – 86 points
6. Central Missouri – 71 points
7. Emporia State – 56 points
8. Fort Hays State – 54 points
9. Missouri Western – 49 points
10. Newman – 30 points
11. Rogers State – 25 points
12. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 14 points 
[#] - Number of First-Place Votes