Women's Cross Country | 8/19/2026 11:00:00 AM
Crookston, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston Women's Cross Country team was picked to finish seventh of 16 teams in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches Poll released Wednesday morning.
Winona State was picked to win the conference, garnering 11 first place votes and 219 points. Minnesota State was picked to finish second with one first place vote and 202 points, with Augustana picked to finish third, receiving three first place votes and 201 points.
Steven Krouse is entering his eighth year as the head coach of the program, with year seven being the best season in program history as the team finished seventh in the NSIC and 18th in the Central Region rankings. This is also the first year for new assistant coach Jakob Hanna, who ran cross country and track and field at North Dakota State University and the University of Sioux Falls. He also coached both sports at Dell Rapids High School.
The Golden Eagles have some key returners this upcoming season, with Grace Alwardt (Sr., Lake Elsinore, Calif.) and Emma Williams (Sr., Nashwauk, Minn.)Head Coach Steve Krouse had this to say about the team, as well as Alwardt and Williams: "Our women's team set a school record for highest placement at the NSIC Championship meet in 2025. The team looks to build on that success as we only lost one runner to graduation and added six talented freshmen. Our two seniors Emma Williams and Grace Alwardt have great leadership qualities and lead by example. Both have been instrumental in getting our program to where it is today. I am excited to watch them and the rest of the team compete and continue to reach new heights this season!"
Morgan Shaw (Sr., Redmond, Ore.), who was tabbed as the Athlete to Watch for the Golden Eagles, is coming off of a spectacular season for the Golden Eagles. She finished 2025 as the 52nd ranked runner in both the NSIC and the Central Region. She will now look to build off of those numbers in 2026.
When asked about Morgan Shaw, Coach Krouse said: "Morgan transferred into our program in 2025 and made an immediate impact upon her arrival. In her first season she broke our school record time in the 6k and set the school record for highest individual placement at the Central Region Championship. Morgan does not let anyone outwork her and is extremely motivated. I can't wait to see what Morgan is able to accomplish this season!"
The Golden Eagles' season begins in just 17 days when they head to Sioux Falls, S.D. for the Augustana Twilight on September 4th at 8:45 p.m.
