ELMHURST, Ill. – The North Dakota State women's cross country team has been voted to finish third in The Summit League this season, according to the poll of league head coaches released Wednesday.
Defending league champion South Dakota was picked to finish first again this year, edging South Dakota State by a single point in the poll. NDSU was a close third, ahead of Fort Wayne, Omaha, Oral Roberts and Western Illinois.
Junior
Emma Kusch Dahle was named an "Athlete to Watch" after being NDSU's top finisher at the NCAA Midwest Regional last season and placing eighth at the Summit League Championships.
The NDSU women bring back five of their top seven runners from last season with Kusch Dahle,
Melina Kuerschner,
Kayla Huhnerkoch,
Annika Rotvold and
Ashley Perez.
The 2017 cross country season begins Sept. 1 with the Bison Open at Rose Creek Golf Course in Fargo. The Summit League Championships are scheduled for Oct. 28 in Vermillion, S.D.
| 2017 Summit League Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll |
| Rank |
School (1st) |
Points |
| 1. |
South Dakota (4) |
33 |
| 2. |
South Dakota State (2) |
32 |
| 3. |
North Dakota State (1) |
28 |
| 4. |
Fort Wayne |
20 |
| 5. |
Omaha |
17 |
| 6. |
Oral Roberts |
10 |
| 7. |
Western Illinois |
7 |
