Contact: Brock Reisler, Assistant Executive Director, breisler@midwestconference.org
OSHKOSH, Wisconsin – After a runner-up finish at the conference meet in 2024, the Lawrence University men’s cross country program has been picked to win the Midwest Conference crown in 2025 as the MWC Preseason Coaches Poll was released Monday afternoon.
Garnering four first-place votes and 60 total points, the Vikings are projected to win their 11th championship - their first since 2021. Grinnell College was a close second with three first-place votes (57 points) and defending MWC champion Cornell College garnered two first-place votes (53 points). Ripon College (44 points) and Knox College (34) rounded out the top-five.
Illinois College (21 points), Monmouth College (20 points), Lake Forest College (18 points) and Beloit College (17 points) occupied the final four spots in the preseason poll.
The 2025 MWC Cross Country Championships are slated for Saturday, November 1, at Seminole Valley Park in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The men’s race is scheduled to start at 11 a.m.
Full preseason coaches’ poll results and quick facts for all nine teams follow:
2025 MWC Men’s Cross Country Preseason Coaches’ Poll Results
1. Lawrence University (4) - 60 points
2. Grinnell College (3) - 57 points
3. Cornell College (2) - 53 points
4. Ripon College - 44 points
5. Knox College - 34 points
6. Illinois College - 21 points
7. Monmouth College - 20 points
8. Lake Forest College - 18 points
9. Beloit College - 17 points
() – indicates first-place votes
* Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams.
Beloit College Buccaneers
Head Coach: Myles Bach (1st Season)
2024 MWC Finish: 9th
All-Conference Returnees: None
Cornell College Rams
Head Coach: Jerry Frawley (5th Season)
2024 MWC Finish: 1st
All-Conference Returnees: Isaac vanWestrienen (
MWC champion, Sr)
Grinnell College Pioneers
Head Coach: Sarah Burnell (5th Season)
2024 MWC Finish: 3rd
All-Conference Returnees: Luke Robinson (4th, Sr); Connor Heagy (8th, Sr); Sam Beck (9th, Jr)
Illinois College Blueboys
Head Coach: Anthony Flores (3rd Season)
2024 MWC Finish: 7th
All-Conference Returnees: None
Knox College Prairie Fire
Head Coach: Ryan Monson (3rd Season)
2024 MWC Finish: 5th
All-Conference Returnees: Lance Miller (2nd, Sr)
Lake Forest College Foresters
Head Coach: Patrick Austin (4th Season)
2024 MWC Finish: 8th
All-Conference Returnees: None
Lawrence University Vikings
Head Coach: Jason Fast (17th Season)
2024 MWC Finish: 2nd
All-Conference Returnees: Finn Lee (3rd, Jr); Nick Hansen,
2024 MWC Newcomer of the Year (7th, So); Ryan Cassiday (13th, Jr); Zach Meyer (15th, So); Caleb Hardy (17th, So)
Monmouth College Fighting Scots
Head Coach: Cooper Pauley (2nd Season)
2024 MWC Finish: 6th
All-Conference Returnees: None
Ripon College Red Hawks
Head Coach: Drew Hoffman (2nd Season)
2024 MWC Finish: 4th
All-Conference Returnees: None