The Dordt University women’s cross country team begins the season ranked seventh in the NAIA Preseason Coaches’ poll.
The Defenders totaled 393 points and are the highest ranked team from the GPAC in the preseason poll. They are just 41 points from a top five ranking (No.5 Cumberlands – Ky.) and are only 26 points in back of sixth-ranked and defending national champion, College of Idaho.
St.Mary (Kan.) holds down the No.1 ranking, earning six of the 18 possible first place votes and a total of 479 points. Milligan (Tenn.) is a close second with 471 points and three first place votes. The Master’s (Calif.), Taylor (Ind.) and Cumberlands round out the top five. Five teams earned at least one first place vote.
Dordt joins three additional GPAC teams in the preseason ranking; Concordia (20), Doane (RV) and Hastings (RV).
this is the fifth consecutive season the Defenders have owned a top 10 preseason ranking
Dordt has qualified for the NAIA National Championship 12 consecutive seasons (since 2011)
the Defenders finished among the top 10 at the NAIA National Championship eight times, including four consecutive seasons
Dordt placed 10th last season at the NAIA National Championship
the Defenders have won four straight, six of the last seven and 10 of the last 12 GPAC titles
Dordt opens its 2024 season at home on Sept. 14 for the Sunflower Open
