BURNSVILLE, Minn. - The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference released the men's cross-country Preseason Coaches' Poll on Thursday. The Golden Bears were picked eighth in the poll, the highest ranking for the team since 2021. 

Concordia earned 74 points in the poll, ranking ahead of Minot State in ninth with 51 points. Northern State was picked seventh ahead of CSP with 82 points, just behind UMary in sixth with 86 points. 

After being voted 11th in last year's preseason poll, the Golden Bears exceeded those expectations by finishing eighth at the NSIC Championships. This year, Concordia returns many key runners from the squad including Will Sacay, who earned Second Team All-NSIC honors after placing 17th at the conference meet last season. 

"I'm incredibly excited about the potential of this year's men's cross-country team," said head coach Jonathan Breithbarth. "We have a seasoned group of runners who have been laying the groundwork for success. Their experience and leadership are invaluable assets to the team. Coupled with their consistent improvement, I'm confident that we can elevate our performance to new heights. This team's unwavering work ethic and dedication to the sport create a powerful foundation for achieving our goals."

Senior Owen Erickson was named the Athlete to Watch for the Golden Bears. Erickson finished his outdoor track season in May with a first-place 10,000m finish at the NSIC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. His times of 14:37.54 in the 5,000m and 31:32.80 in the 10,000m at the conference championships broke school outdoor track records. 

"Owen's journey is a testament to his exceptional talent and relentless dedication, culminating in breaking school records in the 5000m and 10,000m," Breitbarth said. "His NSIC championship in the 10,000m last season highlights his ability to excel at the highest level of our conference. Owen's consistent improvement and outstanding performances embody the well-rounded student-athlete we nurture at Concordia University, St. Paul, making him an inspiration to his teammates and a key figure in our team's success."

Augustana was picked first in the poll with 143 points and 11 first-place votes after winning the NSIC for the fourth season in a row in 2023. MSU Moorhead came in second in the poll with 128 points and a first-place vote. In third place was Minnesota Duluth with 116 points and a first-place vote. 

Augustana's Ryan Hartman was voted as the NSIC Preseason Athlete of the Year for the second consecutive season after a first-place finish at the NSIC Championships last season. He also placed second place at the NCAA Central Regional and finished ninth at the NCAA Championships.

The NSIC Championships will be hosted by Minot State on Saturday, Oct. 26 at Souris Valley Golf Course in Minot, North Dakota. The NCAA Central Regional will be held on Saturday, Nov. 9 in Joplin, Missouri while the NCAA National Championships will take place on Nov. 23 at Arcade Creek CC Course in Sacramento, California. 

The Golden Bears open the 2024 cross-country season at the Augie Twilight on Sept. 6. CSP finished eighth last season at the meet in Sioux Falls under the lights.

Owen Erickson (5-9, 120, Sr., Blaine, Minn. / Spring Lake Park HS)

• 2022-23 CSC Academic All-District

• 2022-23 Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction

• Two-time NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence

• NSIC Champion in the 10,000m and 5,000m

• School record in the 10,000m race with a time of 31:32.80

• School record in the 5,000m race with a time of 14:37.84

• Placed 25th with a time of 26:34.3 in the 8K at the 2023 St. Olaf Invitational

• Ran the 10th fastest 10K race by a CSP junior at the 2023 NCAA Cross-Country Central Regional