Dordt University is named the preseason favorite in the 2025 Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) men's cross country coaches poll released by the league office earlier today.
The Defenders totaled 97 points and seven of the 11 possible first place votes to edge out Doane for the top spot in the poll voted upon by the 11 head coaches in the conference. The Tigers accounted for 94 points and the remaining four first place votes. Concordia (81pts), Northwestern (70) and Mount Marty (62) round out the top five teams.
Defender Notes:
- Dordt has won seven consecutive GPAC titles (2018-24), all under the direction of current head coach Nate Wolf
- the Defenders won the 2024 team championship with 41 points, four ahead of the second place Doane Tigers
- four Defenders finished among the top 10 and had five place in the top 15 and earn all-conference honors
- all-conference runners from 2024 (5):
- Head Coach Nate Wolf was named both the USTFCCCA Midwest Region and GPAC Coach of the Year in 2024
- the Defenders totaled a perfect score (15pts) in winning the 2021 GPAC title
- Dordt won the 2022 NAIA National Championship
- the Defenders have qualified for 11 NAIA National Championships, including seven straight
- the Defenders return eight of their top 10 runners from last season; a total of 28 runners are back from the 2024 season
- Dordt opens its 2025 season at home on Sept. 13 for the Sunflower Open
