Raiders Picked Sixth in Women’s Cross Country Poll

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The Northwestern women's cross country team has been picked sixth in the GPAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, the conference office announced today.

The Raiders return two national qualifiers from last year's team in Emily DeGroot and Kayden Spencer. DeGroot also received All-GPAC recognition for her 15^th-place finish at the 2025 GPAC Championships. Northwestern placed sixth at the conference championships last season.

Northwestern picked up 72 points in the poll. Dordt held the top spot with 121 points and 11 first-place votes. College of Saint Mary received the other first-place vote with 104 total points. A vote from the league's head coaches determined the results. Coaches could not vote for their own team.

Here are the full results of the GPAC Preseason Coaches' Poll:
1. Dordt – 121 pts. (11 first-place votes)
2. College of Saint Mary – 104 pts. (1 first-place vote)
3. Concordia – 94 pts.
4. Morningside – 91 pts.
5. Doane – 90 pts.
6. Northwestern – 72 pts.
7. Hastings – 54 pts.
8. Waldorf – 50 pts.
9. Midland – 44 pts.
10. Mount Marty – 38 pts.
11. Briar Cliff – 19 pts.
12. Dakota Wesleyan – 15 pts.

The Raiders will open the year at the Augustana Twilight on September 4 in Sioux Falls.

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Players Mentioned

Emily DeGroot: 5' 5"; Junior

Kayden Spencer: 5' 6"; Junior

Players Mentioned

Emily DeGroot
: 5' 5"; Junior

Kayden Spencer
: 5' 6"; Junior