BURNSVILLE, Minn. — The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference released the 2025 NSIC Preseason women's cross country Coaches Poll on Monday morning. Concordia-St.Paul was picked to finish 16th.
Concordia received 29 points in the poll, 13 points behind Southwest Minnesota State who was picked 15th. The Golden Bears return five runners from last year's squad, hoping to build off last season and get stronger as the season progresses.
"The 2025 Golden Bear women's team is built on belief – belief in each other, and belief in the process," Head coach Jonathan Breitbarth said. " …That energy is contagious, and it's fueling a group that's growing in confidence with every workout. We expect to be a different team by November – sharper, stronger and ready to compete."
Among the returners is senior Nyadio Chan, who was tabbed as this year's Player to Watch for the Golden Bears. Chan closed out the 2024 season with a personal best 6K time of 23:36.3 at the NCAA Division II Central Region Cross Country Championship.
"Nyadio Chan's journey is one of the most inspiring stories on our team," Breitbarth said. "Early in her career, she was running over 30 minutes for the 6K — but she never stopped showing up and putting in the work. Last fall, she broke through with mid-23s and followed it up with a huge 800-meter performance at the NSIC Outdoor Championships."
Defending conference champion Augustana was picked to finish first in the preseason poll for the second year in a row, receiving 10 first place votes and 217 points. Winona State was picked second in the poll with 202 points and three first place votes. UMary and Minnesota State were picked to finish third and fourth respectively, receiving the remaining three first place votes.
Sophia Taarud of Sioux Falls was voted as the NSIC Preseason Athlete of the Year. Taarud placed second in the 6K at the NSIC Championships and NCAA Regional Championships last season, earning All-American honors.
The NSIC Championships will be hosted by Wayne State on Friday, Oct. 24, at the Wayne Country Club in Wayne, Nebraska. The NCAA Central Regional will be held on Saturday, Nov. 8 in Joplin, Missouri.
Concordia-St. Paul begins the 2025 campaign under the lights at the Augie Twilight in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on Friday, Sept. 5.
