NEW ORLEANS, La. – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced its NCAA Division II preseason regional rankings on Tuesday, and Rogers State checked in at No. 3 in the central region.
 
The Hillcats, who finished sixth at the NCAA Central Region Championships, moved up three spots from their previous rankings in 2025. The defending MIAA champions, Pittsburg State, hold the top position in the central region, followed by Winona State from the NSIC. Nebraska-Kearney and Missouri Southern rounded out the top five. For more details on the rankings, visit 2026 NCAA DII Women's Cross Country Regional Rankings – Preseason ::: USTFCCCA.
 
The RSU cross country teams will kick off their 2026 campaign this Thursday at the annual Distance After Dark meet. The women's race is set to start at 10 p.m. at the Mohawk Sports Complex in Tulsa, followed by the men's race at 10:30 p.m. For more information and the complete schedule of high school and college races, visit RSU Distance After Dark Returns on Sept. 3 in Tulsa - Rogers State University Athletics.