ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) unveiled its 2025 Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll on Thursday, projecting the University of Northwestern Men's Cross Country team to finish fifth this fall.

The full UMAC conference preview can be accessed here.

UNW collected 19 points, one point away from Bethany Lutheran College in fourth place, heading into the season. The Eagles will look to continue to build with a solid returning and incoming class under Patrick Fitzgerald, now in his second year at Northwestern.

Two juniors headline the group of returners for Northwestern. Owen Van De Reit paced the Eagles with a 24th-place finish at last year's UMAC Championship, clocking a 29:13 as the team's third scorer. Classmate Peter Kephart (Lake Nebagamon, Wis./Northwestern) returns after securing 32nd at the conference meet.

With that experience back in the lineup, the Eagles aim to make steady strides and strengthen their position in a competitive UMAC field this season. Northwestern begins its 2025 campaign at Battle Creek Regional Park on Thursday, August 29, with a 6:10 PM start time.