KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announced the results of its preseason coaches poll for the 2024 women’s cross country season. The league’s two-time defending MIAA champion Pittsburg State was tabbed the season favorite for the second consecutive season.
 
Pittsburg State collected the major first-place votes with 11 and totaled 143 points from MIAA head coaches in the 2024 women’s cross country preseason coaches poll. The Gorillas captured the program’s 13th cross country title at the 2023 MIAA championship and went on to place 18th at the NCAA Division II women’s national championship.
 
Missouri Southern was picked second in the poll with 128 points. The Lions are the defending MIAA runners-up and placed 28th at the 2023 national championship. Fort Hays State was picked third with 114 points while Nebraska Kearney finished fourth with 108 points and Rogers State fifth with 99 points. Both the Lopers and the Hillcats tabbed a first-place selection in the poll.
 
The Northwest Missouri Bearcats were picked No. 6 with 87 points while Missouri Western and Washburn tied for the seventh spot with 76 points each. The Jennies of Central Missouri were picked No. 9 (54 points), followed by Newman at No. 10 (47 points), Emporia State at No. 11 (42 points) and Arkansas-Fort Smith was tabbed No. 12 (21 points) for their first season in the MIAA. Central Oklahoma concluded the poll at No. 13.
 
The 2024 MIAA women’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 13 MIAA women’s cross country programs, click here.
 
2024 MIAA WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Pittsburg State [11] – 143 points
2. Missouri Southern – 128 points
3. Fort Hays State – 114 points
4. Nebraska Kearney [1] – 108 points
5. Rogers State [1] – 99 points
6. Northwest Missouri – 87 points 
T7. Missouri Western – 76 points
T7. Washburn – 76 points
9. Central Missouri – 54 points
10. Newman – 47 points
11. Emporia State – 42 points
12. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 21 points
13. Central Oklahoma – 19 points