The NSU men's team was picked to finish eighth in the poll, while the NSU women's team was picked to finish ninth. The Northern men garnered 60 points, while the women finished with 88 points.
Augustana College was picked as the preseason favorite in both the men's and women's poll. The men received 12 of the 13 first-place votes, while the women got 13-of-15.
NSU's Jacob Arechigo and Whitney Kuyper were tabbed as NSU athletes to watch in the preseason release. For the second straight season, Augie's Paul Yak was picked by the league coaches as the NSIC Preseason Men's Athlete of the Year. For the third consecutive year, Augustana's Runa Falch was selected as the NSIC Preseason Women's Athlete of the Year.
The NSU cross country teams are currently at Yellowstone National Park participating in their 2013 fall training camp. The Wolves will return Friday from the camp.
NSU opens the season Aug. 30 with the Northern State Alumni Open held at Melgaard Park. The Wolves will start their regular season on Sept. 13, when they travel to Glyndon, Minn., for the Minnesota State-Moorhead Randy Smith Invite.
Men's Preseason Poll
1. Augustana College (12) 144
2. Minnesota State, Mankato (1) 125
3. Sioux Falls 122
T-4. University of Mary 99
T-4. Minnesota-Duluth 99
6. Minnesota State-Moorhead 91
7. St. Cloud State 86
8. Northern State 60
9. Winona State 53
10. Minot State 42
11. Wayne State 35
12. Concordia-St. Paul 33
13. Southwest Minnesota State 25
Women's Preseason Poll
1. Augustana College (13) 195
2. University of Mary (2) 166
3. Winona State 161
4. Minnesota-Duluth 158
5. Minnesota State, Mankato 156
6. Sioux Falls 127
7. Minnesota State-Moorhead 114
8. St. Cloud State 107
9. Northern State 88
10. Minot State 66
11. Bemidji State 62
12. Concordia-St. Paul 55
13. Southwest Minnesota State 53
14. Wayne State 47
15. Upper Iowa 20