Dordt University was named the preseason favorite in the 2026 Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) men's cross country coaches poll released by the league office earlier today.
The GPAC preseason poll is voted upon by league coaches; coaches could not vote for their own team.
The Defenders accounted for 95 points and six of the 11 possible first place votes to edge out 2025 conference champion Doane (Neb.) by one point. The Tigers totaled 94 points, the five remaining first place votes and was picked second. Concordia (76pts), Northwestern (72pts) and Midland (64pts) round out the top five.
Defender Notes:
- Dordt has won seven of the last eight GPAC titles (2018-24), all under the direction of current head coach Nate Wolf
- Wolf begins his 12th season as the head of the Defender cross country programs
- the Defenders have finished among the top five teams at the GPAC Championship for the last 18 seasons
- the Defenders finished second in last year's conference championship with 50 points, just behind Doane with 36
- five Defenders finished among the top 20 individuals, led by GPAC Champion Truman Johnson
- all-conference runners from 2025 (3):
- 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 as a team
- Dordt returns five of its top 10 runners from last year
- a total of 34 Defenders return from the 2025 season
- Dordt opens its 2026 season at home on September 12 at the Sunflower Open, presented by Rankin / Veenstra Wealth Management.
