For Immediate Release
Monday, August 14, 2017
NSIC Media Relations

University of Mary selected as preseason favorite in NSIC Women's Cross Country Coaches' Poll

BURNSVILLE, Minn. - The defending NSIC Champions of the University of Mary were the unanimous pick to win the NSIC in the preseason women's cross country coaches' poll. The Marauders received all 14 first place votes (coaches cannot vote for their own team) and tallied 196 points to rank ahead of Minnesota Duluth, which tallied 180 points and the other first place vote.  Augustana was third with 164 points while Winona State was fourth with 157 points. 

Minnesota Duluth's Emi Trost and University of Mary's Alexis Zeis were named NSIC Preseason Co-Athletes of the Year. Trost is the defending NSIC Cross Country Champion, finished second at the NCAA Central Regional and was fourth at the NCAA National Championships.  Zeis, the 2015 NSIC and NCAA DII National Champion, finished second at the NSIC Championships in 2016, won the NCAA Central Region and was national runner-up.  

The 2017 NSIC cross country season gets underway on Friday, September 1 with the regular season culminating on Saturday, October 21 at the NSIC Cross Country Championship held at the MSUM Regional Science Center in Glyndon, Minnesota, hosted by MSU Moorhead. The NCAA Central Regional will be held on Saturday, November 4 in Kearney, Nebraska while the NCAA National Championships will take place on November 18 in Evansville, Indiana.
 

NSIC Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll	Points
1.      UMary (14)	196
2.      Minnesota Duluth (1)	180
3.      Augustana	164
4.      Winona State	157
5.      Northern State	134
6.      MSU Moorhead	132
7.      Minnesota State	131
8.      St. Cloud State	99
9.      Sioux Falls	95
10.  Southwest Minnesota State	78
11.  Concordia-St. Paul	59
12.  Minot State	53
13.  Bemidji State	49
14.  Wayne State	32
15.   Upper Iowa	16
first place votes in ( )

Alexis Zeis (Sr., Bismarck, N.D. / Bismarck HS)
University of Mary
- 2016 NCAA National Runner-up
- 2016 NCAA Central Region Champion
- 2016 All-NSIC First Team, finishing second at NSIC Championships
- 2015 NSIC, NCAA Central Region and NCAA DII Cross Country Champion
- Three-time first team All-NSIC member


Emi Trost (Sr., Goodhue, Minn. / Cannon Falls HS)
Minnesota Duluth
- 2016 NSIC Cross Country Champion
- Finished second at NCAA Central Regional in 2016
- Finished fourth at NCAA National Championship in 2016
- Three-time first team All-NSIC member
 

Augustana University Vikings

Last Year NSIC Finish	Returners	2017 Preseason Poll Prediction
5th	11	3rd
Team Preview
The Viking women’s string of 10 straight Nationals appearances came to an end last season, but Augustana returns the majority of their team from last season. The Vikings will get a major boost with the return of two-time All-American Leah Seivert, who sat out last season as a redshirt. The Vikings also return All-NSIC recipients junior Mackenzie Kelly and seniors Annie Kruse and Cassidy Soli. Last season Augustana took fifth in the NSIC and eighth in the Central Regional.
Athlete to Watch
Leah Seivert (Jr., Sibley, Iowa / Sibley Ocheyedan HS)
First meet
Friday, Sept. 1 at Augustana Twilight – 8:30 p.m.

Bemidji State University Beavers

Last Year NSIC Finish	Returners	2017 Preseason Poll Prediction
t-11th	7	13th
Team Preview
The Bemidji State Beavers enter the 2017 campaign with seven returners and five incoming freshmen. The Beavers tied for 11th at the NSIC Championships and also took part in the NCAA Central Region Championship. The young BSU group will be led on event days by BSU’s Player to Watch, junior Sarone Paulzine from Barnum, Minn. Paulzine ran personal bests last season in the 4,000-meter (16:01.4) at the Dragon Twilight and in the 6,000-meter (23:51.2) at the NCAA Central Region Championship. Head Coach Kevin Kean enters his third season with the program and helped every returner improve their respective career-best 6,000-meter times. Senior Amanda Anderson and junior Courtney Anderson each finished last season as members of the Fall Academic All-NSIC Team. The Beavers will compete in two meets during the month of September and one in the month of October before the NSIC Championships on Oct. 21.
Athlete to Watch
Sarone Paulzine (Jr., Barnum, Minn. / Barnum HS)
First meet
Friday, Sept. 8 at Dragon Twilight – 8:15 p.m.

Concordia University, St. Paul Golden Bears

Last Year NSIC Finish	Returners	2017 Preseason Poll Prediction
13th	6	11th
Team Preview
Concordia-St. Paul’s women took a big step forward in 2016 by placing 13th at the conference championships while producing the team’s lowest top-5 runner average (24:50) since the 2008 NCAA Central Regional Championships (24:19.53). The team returns six runners from last year’s NSIC Championship fleet including three of its top four finishers. Senior Jordan Gray leads the returners following a strong finish to her junior year in which she was CSP’s top runner at the NSIC meet in placing 81st with a new PR (23:54.7). Junior Ruth Lindberg and sophomore Tasha Bennett each set new PR’s in the conference meet as well, with Lindberg placing 95th (24:37.8) and Bennett close behind in 106th (25:27.5). Lindberg’s top race of 2016 was an 11th place finish out of 137 at the Ken Weidt Classic in a time of 25:02.7. She was the team’s top finisher in three of the six races while Gray was the top runner on the team in the final two races, the NSIC and NCAA Regional Championships. Gray finished 155th out of 211 at the regional meet, but improved to a 69th place finish among NSIC racers at the regional, a 12-spot bump from the conference meet. Eight of the team’s 12 runners are underclassmen including a group of six in the freshman class while Gray is the lone senior on the squad.
Athlete to Watch
Jordan Gray (Sr., Crystal, Minn. / Robbinsdale-Armstrong HS)
First meet
Friday, Sept. 1 at Crown Invitational – 5:30 p.m.

University of Mary Marauders

Last Year NSIC Finish	Returners	2017 Preseason Poll Prediction
1st	15	1st
Team Preview
Fresh off their first Northern Sun championship in 2016, the University of Mary women’s cross country team are projected to capture a second straight league title. In addition to winning the conference crown, the Marauders also won their first NCAA regional title before placing seventh at the NCAA championships. Ranked as high as third nationally last year, UMary returns six of its seven  student-athletes who ran at nationals. Headlining the Marauders efforts is three-time All-American Alexis Zeis. The senior is the 2015 NCAA national champion and placed second in the nation last year. A two-time regional champion, Zeis also owns an NSIC title and is a three-time all-conference performer. Also back are sophomore Kate Fox and senior Kaycie Stewart, both 2016 All-NSIC first team members, and junior Jaiden Schuette, a second team performer. Additionally senior Rebekkah Bond and junior Emma Hafdahl return.
Athlete to Watch
Alexis Zeis (Sr., Bismarck N.D. / Bismarck HS)
First meet
Friday, Sept. 8 at MSU-Moorhead Twilight – 8:15 p.m.

University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs

Last Year NSIC Finish	Returners	2017 Preseason Poll Prediction
2nd	18	2nd
Team Preview
Despite the loss of  four-time All-American Breanna Colbenson, the Bulldogs’ prospects for a fifth consecutive berth in the NCAA II championships and a NSIC title should remain sound due to the return of six of the seven runners UMD took to last year’s national meet. Headlining that list is Emi Trost, the reigning NSIC individual titleholder who placed fourth at the 2016 NCAA II Championships  -- the highest finish ever by a Bulldog. She’ll be joined by 2016 USTFCCCA All-Region selection and fellow senior Amber Seidenkranz, junior Abby Moore and Meg Borowski, sophomores Melissa Drenckhahn and Sarah Harrison, all of whom competed in last December’s NCAA II nationals. Another  pair of battle-tested veterans, sophomore Maria Berg and junior Megan Stuart, are also back and should help fortify the Bulldog lineup along with newcomers Isabelle Brezinka, Gabrielle Brinkley, Sarah Conlon and Rhianna Rinke.
Athlete to Watch
Emi Trost (Sr., Goodhue, Minn. / Cannon Falls HS)
First meet
Friday, Sept. 1 at Bison Open (Fargo, N.D.) – 5:45  p.m.

Minnesota State University, Mankato Mavericks

Last Year NSIC Finish	Returners	2017 Preseason Poll Prediction
6th	12	7th
Team Preview
Coming off a season in which it turned in a tenth-place finish at the NCAA Division II Central Region meet, the Minnesota State women’s cross country team will be led by senior Erin Baker.  Baker placed 32nd as the top Maverick individual at the regional meet.  She also placed 19th at the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference championship with Minnesota State posting a sixth-place team result. Other returning Mavericks who competed at the regional meet last year include junior Megan Serratore, senior Megan Allen, junior Josie Braaten, junior Lily Paul and sophomore Carisa Weyenberg. Newcomers to the 2017 squad include Camryn Burtness (Beloit, Wis.), Rachel Crawford (Independence, Ore.), Ivy Glade (Mankato), Haley Leger (Belle Plaine, Minn.), Becca McDermott (Cascade, Iowa), Michaela Swanson (Monticello, Minn.), Sarah Turpen (Charles City, Iowa) and Heidi Weiu (Dubuque, Iowa). Minnesota State is led by Jen Blue, who is entering her 14th year as head coach of the Mavericks.
Athlete to Watch
Erin Baker (Sr., Grand Rapids, Minn. / Grand Rapids HS)
First meet
Friday, Sept. 1 at Augustana Twilight – 8:30 p.m.

Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons

Last Year NSIC Finish	Returners	2017 Preseason Poll Prediction
3rd Place	6	6th
Team Preview
Junior Marissa Carlson leads a Dragon women’s squad that must replace All-American Molly Montonye. Carlson was All-NSIC second team last season and also finished 42nd at the region meet. Also returning with experience for MSUM are juniors Alicia Swenson and Samantha Swenson and sophomores Kathryn Sistrunk and Jenna Wegscheid.
Athlete to Watch
Marissa Carlson (Jr., Fosston, Minn. / Fosston HS)
First meet
Friday, Sept. 8, Dragon Twilight -  8:15 p.m.

Minot State University Beavers

Last Year NSIC Finish	Returners	2017 Preseason Poll Prediction
T11th	4	12th
Team Preview
The Minot State women’s cross country team returns four upperclassmen in hopes of improving on an 11th place finish at the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Championship last season. Heading the list of returnees is junior Jana Warrick-Jones who was the Beavers top finisher at both the NSIC Championship and the NCAA Central Region Championship. Warrick-Jones was 51st at the conference meet and 75th overall at the NCAA Regional. Seniors Emily Westlake and Patience Albertson also return for the Beavers as does junior Taylor Novak. Head coach Stu Melby added four freshmen to the roster this season with the additions of Michaela Larson, Abby McGee, Amanda Mohr and Brinlie Nielsen. The Beavers open the year at the MSU Moorhead Twilight Meet on Sept. 8.
Athlete to Watch
Jana Warrick-Jones (Jr., Eastvale, Calif. / Eleanor Roosevelt HS)
First meet
Friday, Sept. 8 at MSU Moorhead Twilight – 8:15 p.m.

Northern State University Wolves

Last Year NSIC Finish	Returners	2017 Preseason Poll Prediction
T-8th	10	5th
Team Preview
The Northern State University women’s cross country team is coming off an eighth place in 2016 with ten returners this season. NSU welcomes six freshmen to the roster this season from all across the Midwest. Sasha Hovind was named as the Northern State runner to watch in 2017 after sitting out due to an injury in 2016. Hovind is a 2-time cross country All-American in 2014 and 2015 finishing 15th and 13th from the NCAA National Championships. She won the NSIC Championships in 2014 with a time of 21:19.80. She holds a personal record of 20:49.50 from the Central Region Meet in 2015. The Wolves open the 2017 season at home with their annual Twilight Alumni race on September 1 at 9:15 p.m. from Moccasin Creek Soccer Complex.
Athlete to Watch
Sasha Hovind ( Sr., Stirum, N. D. / North Sargent HS)
First meet
Friday, Sept. 1 at NSU Alumni Twilight – 9:15 p.m.

University of Sioux Falls Cougars

Last Year NSIC Finish	Returners	2017 Preseason Poll Prediction
t-8th	11	9th
Team Preview
The University of Sioux Falls Women’s Cross Country Team, led by head coach Doug Peterson, will look to continue progress up the NSIC ladder. A year ago, a young team finished tied for eighth. In the five years at the NSIC Championships, USF has placed eighth or better four times with a best of sixth in 2012. Led by freshman NSIC Women’s Athlete to Watch Tara Ceglowski and a number of experienced runners, the Cougars will be gunning for a top five finish. Ceglowski is joined by fifth year senior Kylie Herlihy, fifth-year senior Laura Kung, senior Tenley Schwartz, who was part of last year’s top five group for USF along with senior Kianna Hein Kraft, sophomore Montana Belford, junior Keegan Day and junior Becca Goertzen.
Athlete to Watch
Tara Ceglowski (Fr., Salida, Colo. / Salida HS)
First meet
Friday, Sept. 1 at Augustana Twilight – 8:30 p.m.

Southwest Minnesota State University Mustangs

Last Year NSIC Finish	Returners	2017 Preseason Poll Prediction
10th	6	10th
Team Preview
For SMSU, sophomore Kayla Jansky is the team's top returning finisher from the 2016 NSIC Championships, finishing 59th overall. She also is the squad's top returning finisher—crossing the line 84th—at the 2016 NCAA Region Championships. A pair of seniors return, in Savannah Ramirez and Emily Coldren, along with junior Kristen Weber and sophomores Lexi Grathwohl and Emily Daniels. The SMSU women's team finished 10th at the 2016 NSIC Championships.
Athlete to Watch
Kayla Jansky (So., Two Rivers, Wis. / Two Rivers HS)
First meet
Friday, Sept. 1 at Augustana Twilight – 8:30 p.m.

St. Cloud State University Huskies

Last Year NSIC Finish	Returners	2017 Preseason Poll Prediction
9th	5	8th
Team Preview
St. Cloud State’s cross country team finished ninth at the 2016 NSIC Cross Country Championship with since graduated Sam Sunstrom earning All-Region and later All-American honors. The team ended up having seven runners qualify for the NCAA Central Regional last season. The program will bring back some promising returners in sophomores Chrissy Lofgren and Autum Shurbert-Hetzel. Lofgren is a NSIC Runner to Watch this season after finishing second on the squad and 27th overall at the NSIC XC Championships. She put up four top-30 finishes at races in her rookie campaign. Shurbert-Hetzel had a pair of top 20 finishes as a true freshman. Also returning are seniors Maria Hauer, Zia Matti and McKenzie Holt. Matti had a top 25-finish as a junior at the UWRF Falcon Invitational. Holt ran her best time of the season at the NCAA Central Regional and had a pair of top-30 finishes in races on the campaign. The program also brings in a few talented freshmen to boost the team. The program competes in four regular season meets including the home hosted Bob Waxlax Invitational.
Athlete to Watch
Chrissy Lofgren (So., Stewartville, Minn. / Stewartville HS)
First meet
Saturday, Sept. 2 at Augsburg College Open – 11 a.m.

Upper Iowa University Peacocks

Last Year NSIC Finish	Returners	2017 Preseason Poll Prediction
15th	1	15th
Team Preview
The Peacocks enter their sixth season under Head Coach Nate Rucker, but in 2017 UIU will enter a youth movement. Upper Iowa returns one runner from last year’s squad, Player to Watch Alyssa Weber. Weber will begin her junior campaign for the Peacocks and lead a young squad that includes six freshman. The young team includes Madison Brownrigg, Serianna Dehmlow, Laycee Roys, Kailie Sasada, Lucy Syverson, and two-sport athlete Christonna Shafranski. Upper Iowa opens the season at the Augustana Twilight race in Sioux Falls, S.D. on Friday, Sept. 1.
Athlete to Watch
Alyssa Weber (Jr., Inverness, Fla. / Citrus HS)
First meet
Friday, Sept. 1 at Augustana Twilight – 8:30 p.m.

Wayne State College Wildcats

Last Year NSIC Finish	Returners	2017 Preseason Poll Prediction
14th	2	14th
Team Preview
The Wayne State College women’s cross country team brings back just two runners from last year’s team that placed 14th at the NSIC Championships.  The ‘Cats need to replace its top runner from the last three seasons, Andrea DeSimone.  Wayne State’s Athlete to Watch is junior college transfer Joan Jelimo, a two-time national cross country qualifier from Gillette College in Wyoming.  She helped Gillette to sixth and fifth place finishes at nationals and will be asked to lead a young Wildcat squad this season that does not boast a senior. The two returners are sophomores Lexi Oswald and Josephine Peitz, who both gained valuable experience last year.  Oswald was the team’s #2 runner in a pair of meets while placing third in the other four.  A talented distance runner in track and field, Molly McCartney from Lawrence-Nelson High School, is one of three freshmen on this year’s roster.  She was a five-time Class D State Champion in the 1,600 and 3,200 meter runs in high school.
Athlete to Watch
Joan Jelimo (Jr., Kabiyet, Kenya / St. Michael’s Kabisaga HS)
First meet
Friday, Sept. 1 at Augustana Twilight – 8:30 p.m.

Winona State University Warriors