JACKS PICKED TO SWEEP SUMMIT LEAGUE

SIOUX FALLS, SD – The South Dakota State men's and women's cross country teams were each picked to repeat as Summit League champions in the preseason coaches' poll, according to league officials on Tuesday.

The Jackrabbit men were voted the favorites to take home the title for a potential seventh straight time after receiving 49 total points and seven of the eight first-places votes. North Dakota State earned 37 points, just ahead of St. Thomas with 36. North Dakota claimed the remaining first-place vote and 33 total points for fourth as South Dakota (30), Kansas City (15), Western Illinois (13) and Oral Roberts (11) rounded out the men's rankings.

On the women's side, South Dakota State was also picked to take home the crown with 64 total points and eight of the nine first-place votes. The North Dakota State women grabbed the remaining first-place vote and finished in the No. 2 spot with 56 points. South Dakota came in third with 47 points while North Dakota was selected to finish fourth with 42 total points. St. Thomas (40), Kansas City (25) Omaha (20), Western Illinois (17) and Oral Roberts (13) rounded out the women's poll.

On the USTFCCCA preseason poll released Tuesday, the SDSU men rounded out the top five in the Midwest Region with a fifth-place projection as the women were placed 13th.

SDSU is set to kick off the season at the Augustana Twilight on Sept. 2 at 8:30 p.m.

In addition to the preseason rankings, three Jackrabbits were named to the cross country preseason athletes to watch list: Joseph Minor-Williams, Ben Olson and Leah Hansen.

Joseph Minor-Williams, South Dakota State
Sr. | Minneapolis, Minn.

Garnered All-League first team honors with a sixth-place finish at the League championships, clocking an 8K time of 24:58.28
Took 41^st overall at the NCAA Midwest Regional after clocking a 10K personal-best time of 31:28.5 to help the Jacks to an eighth-place team finish

Ben Olson, South Dakota State
Sr. | Coon Rapids, Minn.

Earned All-League first team accolades after finishing runner-up behind teammate Gabe Peters at the 2021 League championships
Clocked a personal-best 8K time of 24:38.3 at the League championships
Finished 37^th overall at the NCAA Midwest Regional in the 10K with a time of 31:22.2

Leah Hansen, South Dakota State
Jr. | Willmar, Minn.

Repeated as the League's individual champion leading the Jackrabbits to their second women's title in a row
Won the League championships in a 6K time of 21:03.78
Helped the Jacks to a 13^th place finish at the NCAA Midwest Regional after finishing 21^stoverall with a 6K time of 21:15.67

2022 SUMMIT LEAGUE MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON POLL

South Dakota State (7) – 49
North Dakota State – 37
St. Thomas – 36
North Dakota (1) – 33
South Dakota – 30
Kansas City – 15
Western Illinois – 13
Oral Roberts – 11

2022 SUMMIT LEAGUE WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON POLL

South Dakota State (8) – 64
North Dakota State (1) – 56
South Dakota – 47
North Dakota – 42
St. Thomas – 40
Kansas City – 25
Omaha – 20
Western Illinois – 17
Oral Roberts – 13

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Leah Hisken

Joseph Minor-Williams

Ben Olson

Gabe Peters

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