Men's Cross Country | 8/19/2026 10:01:00 AM
Crookston, Minn. - The Golden Eagles Men's Cross Country team was picked to finish seventh of 15 teams in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches Poll released Wednesday morning. They received just one less point than sixth place Winona State.
Augustana was picked to finish first in the NSIC, receiving 14 first place votes and 196 points. MSU Moorhead was selected for the second place finish, receiving one first place vote and 182 points.
Steven Krouse is entering his eighth year as the head coach of the program. The men's program had their best season in the program's history in Krouse's seventh season; they finished fifth in the NSIC and 18th in the Central Region. 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.
Riley Hanson (R-Sr., Farmington, Minn.) has been tabbed as the Golden Eagles' Athlete to Watch this season. Hanson finished 49th amongst all NSIC cross country athletes in 2025 and 102nd in the Central Region. Steve Krouse said: "When Riley and his brother Zach committed here, we were coming off a last place finish in the NSIC. Riley took a chance on us and throughout his career helped the team rise all the way into the top five. Riley shows up to practice every day with a competitive mindset and leads his teammates by example. Following another summer of hard work, I am looking forward to seeing what Riley is able to accomplish his senior year!"
The Golden Eagles have some big time returners this season, with Riley's brother Zach Hanson (R-Sr., Farmington, Minn.) and Lane Hoefs (Sr., Wadena, Minn.) coming back for one more season. Coach Krouse on those returners and the team as a whole said: "Our men's team made a huge jump at the NSIC Championship in 2025 and set a school record for highest team placement. Even though we graduated three key contributors, we have a solid core group of returners and added four talented incomers. This team has never backed down from a challenge, and I expect this year to be no different. Hopefully we can send our three seniors, Lane Hoefs, Riley Hanson, and Zach Hanson, out on a high note as they have helped build this program from the ground up. I am excited to see what the team will be able to accomplish this season!"
The Golden Eagles are eagerly awaiting the start of the season in just 17 short days. They will open the season at the Augustana Twilight in Sioux Falls, S.D. at 9:15 p.m.
