The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) released its preseason poll for the 2026 men's cross country season and Dordt University earned votes in the initial poll.
The Defenders are listed fifth among the 15 teams earning votes and are one of three teams from the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) recognized in the initial poll announced on August 20. Doane (Neb.), the 2025 GPAC Champion and NAIA National Qualifier, is tied with Carroll (Mont.) for 19th while Concordia joins Dordt in the receiving votes category.
Cumberlands (Ky.) sits atop the national ranking with 542 points, two points in front of defending national champion Indiana Wesleyan with 540. Southern Oregon, Milligan (Tenn.) and The Master's (Calif.) round out the top five teams.
Under the direction of head coach
Nate Wolf, who enters his 12th season leading the program, Dordt returns five of its top 10 runners from a 2025 squad that finished second at the GPAC Championships. The Defenders spent much of the 2025 season ranked in the NAIA Top 25, received votes in the final coaches' poll, and qualified two individuals,
Luke Swanson and
Truman Johnson, for the 2025 NAIA National Championships. Dordt returns 34 runners from last season's roster.
The Defenders reported to camp last week and will open the season at home on September 12 at the Sunflower Open, presented by Rankin / Veenstra Wealth Management.
