FHSU Athletics
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Fort Hays State women's cross country team was slotted sixth in the 2023 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll while the Tiger men sit in ninth heading into the 2023 season.
The women earned 102 points in the balloting process, just six behind fourth-ranked Rogers State. Defending champions Pittsburg State (women) and Missouri Southern (men) sit atop each respective poll, with Nebraska-Kearney second in each ranking.
Regan Hodsden returns after an All-American campaign in 2022 where she recorded four top-10 finishes in addition to earning All-MIAA, All-Region and All-American honors. Hodsden is one of five juniors on the young squad that also includes one sophomore and five freshmen.
The men return lots of young talent from a year ago, with the 21-man roster including just one senior and 12 student-athletes listed as freshmen or sophomores.
Jason McCullough will kick off his 19th season as head cross country coach this Friday (Sept. 1) when the Tigers head to Hutchinson, Kan. for the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic. The women are slated to begin their 3-mile race at 8:30 p.m., with the men to follow in a 4-mile race at 9:05 p.m.
The Tigers have had success at the Fun Valley Sports Complex in the past, with the women winning the event in both 2017 and 2022 while the men were first in 2017 and second last fall.
After opening the season this Friday, the squad will host the inaugural race at the new Rolling Ridge Cross Country Course near the Ellis County Fairgrounds on Friday, September 8. The women's 5K will begin at 9:30 a.m., with the men's 4-mile race commencing at 10:10 a.m.
2023 MIAA Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Pittsburg State (10) - 139 points
2. Nebraska Kearney (1) - 130 points
3. Northwest Missouri - 115 points
4. Rogers State - 108 points
5. Missouri Southern (2) - 104 points
6. Fort Hays State - 102 points
7. Central Missouri - 73 points
8. Missouri Western - 66 points
9. Washburn - 60 points
10. Emporia State - 48 points
11. Newman - 34 points
12. Central Oklahoma - 23 points
13. Lincoln - 12 points
2023 MIAA Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Missouri Southern (7) - 96 points
2. Nebraska Kearney (3) - 88 points
3. Pittsburg State - 83 points
4. Washburn - 71 points
5. Northwest Missouri (1) - 62 points
6. Central Missouri - 61 points
7. Missouri Western - 48 points
8. Emporia State - 32 points
9. Fort Hays State - 29 points
10. Rogers State - 25 points
11. Newman - 10 points