MINOT, N.D. – The Minot State women's cross-country team heads into the fall season picked 13
th by the coaches in the NSIC as the league announced the 2026 NSIC Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll on Wednesday.
The Beavers received 61 points in the coaches' poll.
"For me personally, I am excited to see the kind of growth and maturity that we have as a group," coach
Erik Stevens said as he begins his first season as head coach for Minot State's cross-country program. "We have a small group of women this year and are definitely rebuilding, but I believe that the group that we have will be able to handle what lies ahead of them. Having a solid group of returners to help lead our incoming class is crucial for us this year. I fully believe in the ability that the group brings to the table, and I know that if we focus the energy in the right spot, we will see success."
Also on Wednesday, the NSIC announced its Preseason Athlete of the Year and Athletes to Watch for each team, and junior
Julie Folk was highlighted for the Beavers as Minot State's female Athlete to Watch this season.
Folk finished 85
th at the NSIC Championship last fall in 24 minutes, 53.7 seconds on the women's 5-kilometer course, the No. 3 spot for the Beavers.
"Julie really progressed through the 2025-26 season, having some big personal bests in every event that she competed in," Coach Stevens said. "Julie specifically brought her energy to the steeplechase and proved the toughness that she has to be a conference qualifier in that event. I really believe that the success that she had in the spring will help her become a solid cross-country runner. Julie is someone who you never have to worry about giving her best in everything that she takes on. She is a great example of what hard work will do for an athlete if they trust in the process."
In the team race, Winona State collected 11 first-place votes in the poll and was the coaches' favorite to win the NSIC title with 219 points, while Minnesota State was picked to finish 2
nd with 202 points and 1 first-place vote, and Augustana was a close 3
rd with 201 points and 3 first-place votes.
Minnesota Duluth was picked to finish 4
th with 181 points, then came Mary, which was picked 5th with 179 points and the final first-place vote.
Jamestown was picked 6
th with 143 points, Minnesota Crookston was picked 7
th with 130 points, Sioux Falls was picked 8
th with 125 points, Northern State was picked 9
th with 112 points, Minnesota State Moorhead was picked 10
th with 96 points, Bemidji State was picked 11
th with 89 points, Wayne State was picked 12
th with 72 points, Minot State was picked 13
th with 61 points, Southwest Minnesota State was picked 14
th with 50 points, St. Cloud State was picked 15
th with 31 points, and Concordia-St. Paul was picked 16
th with 29 points.
Individually, Winona State junior Ella Voit was named the NSIC Preseason Athlete of the Year. Voit is a two-time national championship qualifier, finished 6
th at last fall's NSIC Championship, and was the 2024 Newcomer of the Year as a freshman.
The Minot State women's cross-country team opens the 2026 season on Friday, September 4, competing at the Dragon Twilight hosted by Minnesota State Moorhead.
2026 NSIC Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll
| Rank |
Team (1st place votes) |
Points |
| 1 |
Winona State (11) |
219 |
| 2 |
Minnesota State (1) |
202 |
| 3 |
Augustana (3) |
201 |
| 4 |
Minnesota Duluth |
181 |
| 5 |
Mary (1) |
179 |
| 6 |
Jamestown |
143 |
| 7 |
Minnesota Crookston |
130 |
| 8 |
Sioux Falls |
125 |
| 9 |
Northern State |
112 |
| 10 |
Minnesota State Moorhead |
96 |
| 11 |
Bemidji State |
89 |
| 12 |
Wayne State |
72 |
| 13 |
Minot State |
61 |
| 14 |
Southwest Minnesota State |
50 |
| 15 |
St. Cloud State |
31 |
| 16 |
Concordia-St. Paul |
29 |
