PRESS RELEASE

BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference released the 2024 NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Polls for cross country Thursday. Northern was picked seventh on the women’s side, tied with Minot State, with 106 points. The Wolves men were also selected seventh with 82 total points. Nathan Alto and Avery Murray were named the runners to watch for NSIC heading into the fall season.

In the fall of 2023, the Wolves cross country programs placed sixth (men) and eighth (women) at the NSIC Championships. Megan Pickering and Josh Martin led the way from the NSIC Championships with a pair of all-conference performances.

To see the complete women’s poll, click on the following link:

https://northernsun.org/news/2024/8/14/2024-nsic-womens-cross-country-preseason-coaches-poll.aspx

To see the complete men’s poll, click on the following link:

https://northernsun.org/news/2024/8/14/2024-nsic-mens-cross-country-preseason-coaches-poll.aspx

NSU COACH LYNNE DINGMAN’S THOUGHTS HEADING INTO 2024:

• On the Men: “Our team is coming off of our highest team finishes in the NSIC from this past indoor & outdoor season, which has our distance squad eager to build off of that momentum. We have a strong contingent of returners with seniors Alto and Jon Burkhalter, along with other members of our scoring five from a year ago with Evan Halbe, Taylor Thorson and Jacob Angerhofer. We’ve also got a strong recruiting class coming in, along with more depth than years previous.”
• One the Women: “Our women’s team is young this season, with Avery Murray being the lone senior on the squad. However, we have a strong contingent of sophomore returners, with Jolie Dugan and Adisen Stadem as other members of our scoring five from a year ago at the NSIC & Central Regional Championship. Additionally, we are bringing in a strong group of freshmen with good resumes, along with a transfer athlete in Abby Hasart of DWU. This young squad is eager to have a strong fall season!”
• On Nathan Alto: “Nathan led the Wolves at four of five cross country meets last season, and is our top returner. Alto is coming off of numerous personal bests this past season in cross country & indoor/outdoor. He placed in three events at the NSIC Indoor Championships for the Wolves, taking third in the DMR, fourth in the 3000m, and eighth in the 5000m. You can always count on Alto to give his best effort for the team without complaint. This past season he was challenged with illness and still led our team with his attitude & effort.”
• On Avery Murray: “Avery is our lone senior on the squad, and highest finishing returner from the NSIC & Central Region Championship. We will rely on her to help lead our young female squad. Avery is coming off of numerous personal best performances last season in Cross Country, Indoor & Outdoor from the 800m to the 6k. Avery showcases great service to Northern & her team, from checking in on other teammates, working for a good team culture, and volunteering to work summer running camps & other events!”

The 2024 NSIC cross country season gets underway on Friday, September 6 with the regular season culminating on Saturday, October 26 at the NSIC Cross Country Championship held at Souris Valley Golf Course in Minot, North Dakota; hosted by Minot University. The NCAA Central Regional will be held on Saturday, November 9 in Joplin, Missouri while the NCAA National Championships will take place on November 23 at Arcade Creek CC Course in Sacramento, California.