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Bobcats Picked Second in Big Sky Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Preseason Coaches’ Polls
8/20/2026 10:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
Bobcats poised for strong season with solid roster retention
FARMINGTON, Utah --- The Montana State men's and women's cross country teams were each picked second in the Big Sky Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Polls ahead of the 2026 season, the conference office announced on Thursday.
The Montana State women received 100 points, including one first-place vote, in a poll of the Big Sky's 11 head coaches, while the men tallied 98 points.
The Bobcats retain experienced rosters for the 2026 cross country season, with the men's team featuring nine returners and six newcomers on its 15-member roster while the women return 11 Bobcats and add seven new competitors to their 18-member squad. Four of the five scorers on each team at the 2025 Big Sky Cross Country Championships are set to return to Bozeman this fall as the Bobcats seek to build on the men's and women's third-place finishes at last year's conference meet in Bozeman.
Full results of the preseason coaches' polls are listed below:
2026 Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Northern Arizona (9) – 118
2. Montana State – 98
3. Weber State (1) – 97
4. Southern Utah – 85
5. Idaho State – 64
6. Montana – 62
7. Idaho – 61
8. Utah Tech (1) – 48
9. Eastern Washington – 46
10. Portland State – 24
11. Northern Colorado – 23
2026 Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Northern Arizona (9) – 118
2. Montana State (1) – 100
3. Weber State – 96
4. Southern Utah – 82
5. Idaho – 74
6. Idaho State – 65
7. Utah Tech (1) – 60
8. Eastern Washington – 43
9. Northern Colorado – 36
10. Montana – 28
11. Portland State – 24
Coaches are permitted to vote for their own team(s)
() – Designates First-Place Vote(s)
Follow the Bobcats
For the latest news, updates, and behind-the-scenes coverage of the Montana State cross country program, follow the Bobcats on Twitter and Instagram at @MSUBobcatsTFXC. Information on the Montana State athletic program can be found online at msubobcats.com or by following the Bobcats on Twitter at @MSUBobcats, Instagram at @MontanaStateBobcats, and on Facebook at Montana State Bobcats.
The Montana State women received 100 points, including one first-place vote, in a poll of the Big Sky's 11 head coaches, while the men tallied 98 points.
The Bobcats retain experienced rosters for the 2026 cross country season, with the men's team featuring nine returners and six newcomers on its 15-member roster while the women return 11 Bobcats and add seven new competitors to their 18-member squad. Four of the five scorers on each team at the 2025 Big Sky Cross Country Championships are set to return to Bozeman this fall as the Bobcats seek to build on the men's and women's third-place finishes at last year's conference meet in Bozeman.
Full results of the preseason coaches' polls are listed below:
2026 Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Northern Arizona (9) – 118
2. Montana State – 98
3. Weber State (1) – 97
4. Southern Utah – 85
5. Idaho State – 64
6. Montana – 62
7. Idaho – 61
8. Utah Tech (1) – 48
9. Eastern Washington – 46
10. Portland State – 24
11. Northern Colorado – 23
2026 Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Northern Arizona (9) – 118
2. Montana State (1) – 100
3. Weber State – 96
4. Southern Utah – 82
5. Idaho – 74
6. Idaho State – 65
7. Utah Tech (1) – 60
8. Eastern Washington – 43
9. Northern Colorado – 36
10. Montana – 28
11. Portland State – 24
Coaches are permitted to vote for their own team(s)
() – Designates First-Place Vote(s)
Follow the Bobcats
For the latest news, updates, and behind-the-scenes coverage of the Montana State cross country program, follow the Bobcats on Twitter and Instagram at @MSUBobcatsTFXC. Information on the Montana State athletic program can be found online at msubobcats.com or by following the Bobcats on Twitter at @MSUBobcats, Instagram at @MontanaStateBobcats, and on Facebook at Montana State Bobcats.
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