Contact: Chassidy Holloway, Assistant Executive Director, holloway@midwestconference.org
GRINNELL, Iowa — The Pioneers of Grinnell College have been selected by the men’s cross country head coaches of the Midwest Conference (MWC) to win the championship meet this fall.
The Pioneers currently hold a league record for the most men’s cross country championships with thirty-two and will enter this season on a quest for their first since 2016. For the last two years, Grinnell was runner-up to the Rams of Cornell College who despite winning the last two MWC cross country championships placed fifth in this year’s poll (42 points). The Pioneers are hopeful to find themselves as champions again at the end of this season, securing seven first-place votes and 78 points to take the top spot in poll.
For the last three years, Monmouth College has ended each season in the top-five of the league. This season, after earning one first-place vote and 61 points in the poll, the Scots are projected to come in second place for a chance at their first MWC championship since sharing the crown with Grinnell in 2006.
Securing 51 points in the poll, the Green Knights of St. Norbert College are expected to take third place, three spots above last year’s finish. The Foresters of Lake Forest College earned 46 points to put them in fourth place, one spot behind their finish last season.
The 2019 season kicks off on August 30 as six of the league’s teams take action. Knox College will host this year’s MWC Cross Country Championships on Saturday, November 2.
Full preseason poll results can be found below followed by quick facts for all ten MWC teams.
Team (First-Place Votes), Points
2019 MWC Men’s Cross Country Preseason Poll
- Grinnell College (7), 78 points
- Monmouth College (1), 61 points
- St. Norbert College, 51 points
- Lake Forest College, 46 points
- Cornell College, 42 points
- Lawrence University, 39 points
- Ripon College, 37 points
- Beloit College, 28 points
- Knox College, 13 points
- Illinois College, 10 points
Beloit College Buccaneers
Head Coach: Dave Eckburg (20
th Season)
2018 MWC Finish: 8
th
2019 Projected MWC Finish: 8
th
Key Returnees: Charles Sandberg (Sr)
Cornell College Rams
Head Coach: Tashina Steggall (1
st Season)
2018 MWC Finish: 1
st place
2019 Projected MWC Finish: 5
th
Key Returnees: Aaron Davidson (So), Evan Mills (Jr), Evan Patten (Jr), Landon Remington (Sr), Matt Stoll (Sr), Paul Zemba (Sr)
Grinnell College Pioneers
Head Coach: Will Freeman (36
th Season)
2018 Finish: 2
nd
2019 Projected MWC Finish: 1
st
Key Returnees: John Osler (Sr)
Illinois College Blueboys
Head Coach: Jason Haynes (6
th Season)
2018 MWC Finish: 10
th
2019 Projected MWC Finish: 10
th
Key Returnees: Anthony Canton (Sr), Jacob Fredderke (So), Grant Seniker (So)
Knox College Prairie Fire
Head Coach: Adam Flyte (1
st Season)
2018 MWC Finish: 9
th
2019 Projected MWC Finish: 9
th
Key Returnees: Alex Baker (Jr), Blake Geisler (So)
Lake Forest College Foresters
Head Coach: Ciara Kissane (2
nd Season)
2018 MWC Finish: 3
rd
2019 Projected MWC Finish: 4th
Key Returnees: Philip Wilson (Sr)
Lawrence University Vikings
Head Coach: Jason Fast (11
th Season)
2018 MWC Finish: 5
th
2019 Projected MWC Finish: 6
th
Key Returnees: Cullen Allard (Jr), Aaron Arthur (Sr), Billy Daniels (So), Julian Garcia (So), Joe Kortenhof (Sr), Mik Patel (Sr), Sam Marrese-Wheeler (So)
Monmouth College Scots
Head Coach: Jon Welty (5
th Season)
2018 MWC Finish: 4
th
2019 Projected MWC Finish: 2
nd
Key Returnees: Riley Dulin (So)
Ripon College Redhawks
Head Coach: Corey Bins (3
rd Season)
2018 MWC Finish: 7
th
2019 Projected MWC Finish: 7th
Key Returnees: Ezekial Carson (Jr), Andrew Johnson (Sr), Mike Kremsreiter (So), Joe Pachowitz (So), David Potter (So), Garrett Radtke (So)
St. Norbert College Green Knights
Head Coach: Don Augustine (13
th Season)
2018 MWC Finish: 6
th
2019 Projected MWC Finish: 3
rd
Key Returnees: Matt Holloway (Sr)