SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The North Dakota State University women’s and men’s cross country teams were both picked to finish second in The Summit League this season, according to the annual preseason coaches’ poll released Tuesday.
In addition, NDSU’s Kelby Anderson and Isaac Huber were named to the league’s list of Athletes to Watch. Anderson (Bismarck, N.D.) is entering her fifth year with the Bison after winning the 2019 Summit League individual title and being named the league’s Cross Country Athlete of the Year. Huber (Jud, N.D.) is in his third season at NDSU and owns top-15 conference finishes in both of his first two years.
Other key contributors returning for the Bison women include Jen Dufner and Kaleesa Houston. The Bison men return Zach Johnson – the top-finishing freshman at the Summit League meet last season – in addition to Josh Samyn and Payton Smith as conference-meet scorers,
South Dakota State was voted the favorite to win both the men’s and women’s team titles.
The Bison cross country squads will open the season this Saturday, Sept. 4, in Grand Forks under the direction of first-year head coach Dennis Newell.
2021 Summit League Men’s Cross Country Poll
| Rank | School | Points (1st) |
| 1. | South Dakota State | 49 (7) |
| 2. | North Dakota State | 42 |
| 3. | South Dakota | 35 |
| 4. | North Dakota | 32 (1) |
| 5. | St. Thomas | 23 |
| 6. | Kansas City | 16 |
| 7. | Oral Roberts | 15 |
| 8. | Western Illinois | 12 |
2021 Summit League Women’s Cross Country Poll
| Rank | School | Points (1st) |
| 1. | South Dakota State | 60 (6) |
| 2. | North Dakota State | 59 (3) |
| 3. | South Dakota | 51 |
| 4. | North Dakota | 41 |
| 5. | St. Thomas | 32 |
| 6. | Omaha | 29 |
| 7. | Kansas City | 24 |
| 8. | Oral Roberts | 16 |
| 9. | Western Illinois | 12 |
*Courtesy Wes Offerman, NDSU Athletics
