Wayne State has been ranked 11th in the 2026 NSIC Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll, receiving 70 points from coaches. The Wildcats aim to improve upon their 11th-place finish at last year's NSIC Championships. Sophomore Lucas Frazier has been named the team's Athlete to Watch after strong performances last season, including being the top runner at the NCAA Central Regional. Augustana is favored to win the championship, earning 196 points and 14 first-place votes.

By the Numbers
  • Wayne State received 70 points in the preseason poll.
  • Augustana was a unanimous selection with 196 points and all 14 first-place votes.
State of Play
  • Wayne State finished 11th in the previous NSIC Championships.
  • The team opens its season on September 4th at the Augustana Twilight Invitational.
What's Next

The Wildcats look to leverage Lucas Frazier's talent to improve their standings in the upcoming season and aim for a better finish in the NSIC Championships.

Bottom Line

As the season kick-offs, Wayne State must capitalize on its strengths and Frazier's potential to elevate their performance from last year to remain competitive within the conference.