The Idaho State men's and women's cross country teams are ranked fifth and sixth, respectively, in the Big Sky Conference鈥檚 2026 Preseason Coaches鈥� Polls. The men earned 64 points, while the women secured 65 points. Northern Arizona emerged as the favorite in both polls, collecting nine first-place votes for each category and continuing their dominance in the conference. Head coach Sean-Patrick Oswald expressed enthusiasm about building on last season's momentum with a talented roster. The cross country season is set to commence the first week of September.

By the Numbers
  • Idaho State men ranked 5th with 64 points.
  • Idaho State women ranked 6th with 65 points.
  • Northern Arizona men and women each received nine first-place votes.
Yes, But

While the Bengals are optimistic with strong returning athletes, they face significant competition from established teams like Northern Arizona, which has dominated the conference for nearly a decade.

State of Play
  • The Big Sky Conference will have 11 full-time members this season.
  • Montana State and Weber State are positioned second and third, respectively, in both polls.
What's Next

The cross country season kicks off in early September, and Idaho State will aim to leverage their training environment to improve standings in the conference.

Bottom Line

Idaho State's cross country teams, while starting the season with a solid ranking, must execute effectively and maintain focus to compete against stronger teams if they hope to achieve their ambitious goals this season.