ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference unveiled its 2026 Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll on Friday, projecting the University of Northwestern Men's Cross Country team to finish tied for third this fall. The Eagles collected 27 points and one first-place vote in the preseason poll after finishing third in the 2025 UMAC Championship with 84 points.

The full UMAC conference preview can be accessed here.

Two seniors headline the group of returning runners for the Eagles. Tyler Dueber (Bloomington, Minn./Homeschool) returns after finishing as the Eagles' top runner and earning first-team honors at the 2025 UMAC Championship meet. Peter Kephart (Lake Nebagamon, Wis./Northwestern) also returns after competing as Northwestern's fourth team finisher at the 2025 UMAC Championship. The Eagles will look to build on the success of the 2025 season under Patrick Fitzgerald as he enters his third season at the helm.

UNW will open the season in River Falls for the River Town Invite on Friday, September 4.