In the 2026 Frontier Conference Women's Cross Country Coaches' Preseason Poll, Dakota State (S.D.) has been ranked third with 74 points. The Trojans finished just ahead of Rocky Mountain (Mont.) by three points. Carroll (Mont.) took the top spot with 100 points, supported by nine first-place votes, while Montana Tech followed as second with 91 points. The results show a competitive landscape in the upcoming season, with Dakota State aiming to improve from their fourth-place finish last year.

By the Numbers
  • Dakota State received 74 points in the preseason poll.
  • Carroll (Mont.) topped the poll with 100 points, securing nine first-place votes.
State of Play
  • The Trojans placed fourth in their inaugural Frontier Conference meet last season.
  • The upcoming season kicks off for Dakota State on September 4 at the Augustana Twilight in Sioux Falls, S.D.
What's Next

Dakota State will look to capitalize on their third-place ranking as they begin their season, aiming for improvement in upcoming meets leading to the Frontier Conference Championships on November 6.

Bottom Line

With a solid preseason projection, Dakota State aims to build on last year's performance and secure a spot in the NAIA Women's Cross Country National Championships, making each race crucial in the lead-up to the conference finals.