The Wayne State College women's cross country team has been projected to finish 12th in the 2026 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Junior Allie Czapla earned recognition as the team's Athlete to Watch after a strong performance last season. The Wildcats received a total of 72 points from league coaches, mirroring their 12th place finish at last year's championships. Winona State leads the poll, followed by Minnesota State and Augustana. The season kicks off for Wayne State on September 4th at the Augustana Twilight Invitational.

By the Numbers
  • The Wildcats garnered 72 points in the preseason poll.
  • Winona State received 219 points and 11 first-place votes, leading the rankings.
  • Allie Czapla finished 50th out of 319 runners at last year's season-opening event.
Yes, But

While Wayne State is expected to finish 12th, they will be looking to improve their standings compared to last year's performance, which could challenge the predictions.

State of Play
  • Wayne State finished 12th in last year's Northern Sun Conference Championships.
  • Other teams like Winona State and Minnesota State are already seen as top contenders for this season.
What's Next

Wayne State will open their season against competitive teams on September 4th, and a strong performance could shift perceptions ahead of the conference meet later in the season.

Bottom Line

As the Wayne State women's cross country team gears up for the season, their performance in early meets will be critical in challenging the preseason expectations and proving their capabilities on the course.