KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) announced its 2025 Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll, and RSU was picked to finish second, marking its highest ranking in program history.
 
The Hillcats earned a total of 124 points and received three first-place votes following a historic 2024 season. They finished second at the MIAA Conference Championship and fifth at the NCAA Division Central Region Championship, which secured their first-ever bid to the NCAA Championships, where they ultimately placed 22nd.
 
The defending three-time champions, Pittsburg State, are favored to win the conference with 138 points and eight first-place votes. Fort Hays State followed the Hillcats in third place with 111 points, while Nebraska-Kearney and Northwest are tied for fourth place, each with 108 points.
 
Rogers State will host the RSU Distance After Dark meet in Tulsa on Thursday, September 4, at the Mohawk Sports Complex to begin the season. The meet is slated to start at 10:00 p.m.
 
2025 MIAA WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Pittsburg State [8] – 138 points
2. Rogers State [3] – 124 points
3. Fort Hays State – 111 points
T4. Nebraska Kearney [1] – 108 points
T4. Northwest Missouri – 108 points
6. Missouri Southern [1] – 94 points
7. Washburn – 83 points
8. Emporia State – 62 points
9. Central Missouri – 60 points
10. Missouri Western – 49 points
11. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 35 points
12. Newman – 27 points
13. Central Oklahoma – 15 points 
[#] - Number of First Place Votes