KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Washburn Ichabod men's cross country squad was selected to finish second in the 2026 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) men's cross country preseason coaches poll, while the Ichabod women were picked seventh, the conference announced Friday. Washburn will open the 2026 season at the Griffon Invitational on Sept. 4 in St. Joseph, Mo.

The Washburn men received 108 points and three first-place votes, finishing just six points behind preseason favorite Pittsburg State, which collected five first-place votes and 114 points. The Ichabods are looking to return to the NCAA National Championships for the second year in a row and the third time in the last four seasons as a team.

On the women's side, Washburn was picked to finish seventh, receiving 86 points and one first-place vote. Pittsburg State was selected as the preseason favorite with 138 points and seven first-place votes, followed by Rogers State with 128 points and three first-place votes.

2026 MIAA Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Pittsburg State – 114 points (5 first-place votes)
2. Washburn – 108 points (3 first-place votes)
3. T3. Nebraska Kearney – 90 points (1 first-place vote)
4. T3. Missouri Southern – 90 points
5. Northwest Missouri – 84 points (3 first-place votes)
6. Fort Hays State – 73 points
7. Rogers State – 60 points
8. Missouri Western – 54 points
9. Central Missouri – 45 points
10. Emporia State – 40 points
11. Newman – 19 points
12. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 15 points

2026 MIAA Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Pittsburg State – 138 points (7 first-place votes)
2. Rogers State – 128 points (3 first-place votes)
3. Nebraska Kearney – 116 points (1 first-place vote)
4. Missouri Southern – 107 points (1 first-place vote)
5. Northwest Missouri – 103 points
6. Fort Hays State – 91 points
7. Washburn – 86 points (1 first-place vote)
8. Emporia State – 56 points
9. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 52 points
10. Central Missouri – 49 points
11. Missouri Western – 44 points
12. T12. Central Oklahoma – 22 points
13. T12. Newman – 22 points