Contact: Chassidy Holloway, Associate Executive Director, holloway@midwestconference.org
 
GRINNELL, Iowa – The Ripon College Red Hawks are ranked first in the 2024 Midwest Conference (MWC) Track and Field Preseason Coaches’ Poll, announced Thursday, December 5.
 
Projected to sweep the indoor and outdoor titles for a third consecutive year, the Red Hawks received seven first-place votes and 63 points, securing the top spot in the poll. Ripon has claimed the last three indoor crowns and the last two outdoor championships, including the program’s first-ever indoor title in 2022 and first outdoor title in 2023.
 
Grinnell College and Monmouth College tied for second place with 50 points each, with both teams earning a first-place vote. Last year, the Fighting Scots finished as runners-up in both championship events, while the Pioneers placed third.
 
Cornell College secured fourth place with 44 points, followed by Illinois College in fifth with 39 points.
 
The poll concludes with Lawrence University (28), Beloit College (25), Knox College (15), and Lake Forest College (10).
 
The 2024-25 track and field season begins with indoor competition on Friday, December 6, featuring five of the nine teams in action over the weekend.
 
The 2025 MWC Indoor Track & Field Championships are set for Friday, February 28, through Saturday, March 1, at Monmouth College.
 
Outdoor track and field competition will begin on Friday, March 14, culminating at the 2025 MWC Outdoor Track & Field Championships, hosted by Lawrence University on Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10.
 
Full preseason poll results and quick facts for all nine teams can be found below.
 
2024-25 MWC Women’s Track & Field Preseason Coaches’ Poll Results
1. Ripon College (7) – 63 points
T2. Grinnell College (1) – 50 points
T2. Monmouth College (1) – 50 points
4. Cornell College – 44 points
5. Illinois College – 39 points
6. Lawrence University – 28 points
7. Beloit College – 25 points
8. Knox College – 15 points
9. Lake Forest College – 10 points
 
() – indicates first-place votes
*Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams.
 
Beloit College Buccaneers
Head Coach: Brian Bliese (25^th Season)
2024 MWC Indoor Finish: 7^th
2024 MWC Outdoor Finish: T6^th
All-Conference Returnees: Alayna Furch (5^th Year), Sophia Miller (So.), Jaeonie Nichols (Sr.), Izzy Zewdie (Jr.)
 
Cornell College Rams
Head Coach: Jerry Monner (3^rd Season)
2024 MWC Indoor Finish: 5^th
2024 MWC Outdoor Finish: 4^th
All-Conference Returnees: Hailey Carolan (Jr.), Ava Claussen-Tubbs (Jr.), Bri Osterson (Sr.), Willow Ziegler (So.)
 
Grinnell College Pioneers
Head Coach: Jeff Pedersen (5^th Season)
2024 MWC Indoor Finish: 3^rd
2024 MWC Outdoor Finish: 3^rd
All-Conference Returnees: Maile Crowe (Sr.), Jessie Goodman (Jr.), Millie Leonard (So.), Caitlin Ong (Jr.), Allison Rabbani (Sr.), Hannah Roark (Jr.), Hannah Roth (So.), Ava Taylor (Sr.), Isa Voinescu (Jr.)
 
Illinois College Lady Blues
Head Coach: Dirk Doehring (2^nd Season)
2024 MWC Indoor Finish: 4^th
2024 MWC Outdoor Finish: 5^th
All-Conference Returnees: Deja Anderson (So.), Maddie Benson (Sr.), Haley Garett (So.), Fynesse Jones (Jr.), Brooke Oakley (Sr.), Apiphany Patterson (So.), Mady Salisbury (So.), Aleese Trimingham (So.)
 
Knox College Prairie Fire
Head Coach: Mark Nelson (2^nd Season)
2024 MWC Indoor Finish: 8^th
2024 MWC Outdoor Finish: 8^th
All-Conference Returnees: N/A
 
Lake Forest College Foresters
Head Coach: Patrick Austin (3^rd Season)
2024 MWC Indoor Finish: 9^th
2024 MWC Outdoor Finish: 9^th
All-Conference Returnees: N/A

Lawrence University Vikings
Head Coach: Elizabeth Krug (1^st Season)
2024 MWC Indoor Finish: 6^th
2024 MWC Outdoor Finish: T6^th
All-Conference Returnees: N/A
 
Monmouth College Fighting Scots
Head Coach: Brian Woodard (3^rd Season)
2024 MWC Indoor Finish: 2^nd
2024 MWC Outdoor Finish: 2^nd
All-Conference Returnees: Maddie Boley (Sr. – 2024 Indoor Field Performer of the Year, 2024 Outdoor Field Performer of the Year, 2023 Indoor Field Performer of the Year), Miranda Hursey (Sr.), Delaney Rexroat (Sr.), Maddie Rusk (Jr.), Jillian Toth (Jr.)

Ripon College Red Hawks
Head Coach: Bob Wood (8^th Season)
2024 MWC Indoor Finish: 1^st
2024 MWC Outdoor Finish: 1^st
All-Conference Returnees: Gabby Allard (So.), Jenny Cortes (Jr.), Alison DeNamur (Sr.), Bridget Finn (Sr.), Sidney Hoffa (So.), Minnie Hoffman (So.), Devin Ibarra (Sr.), Chloe Studinski (So.), Heleyna Weiss (So.), Madylyn Woyak (So.)