By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Fort Hays State men’s cross country team was picked sixth in the 2021 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, released Friday (Aug. 27) by the league office.
The Tigers accumulated 59 points in the balloting process, just one shy of fifth-place Central Missouri and 10 points behind fourth-place Pittsburg State. Missouri Southern received all 10 possible first-place votes and led the way with 100 points. Northwest Missouri State is second with 87 points, with Nebraska-Kearney sitting in third with 79 points.
This year’s Tiger squad includes just five runners that were on the team two years ago when FHSU qualified for the NCAA Championships. Robbie Schmidt and Caleb Carrasco both ran for the Tigers in 2019 and are the lone seniors on this year’s team, while Sebastian Garcia, Aaron Mangan and Trever Medina all redshirted in 2019 and are still in their first year of eligibility. Schmidt was the top finisher for the Tigers at the 2019 National Championships, placing 125th at the national meet.
The Tigers placed fourth at the league meet two years ago and fourth at the Central Region Championships. Head coach Dr. Jason McCullough is entering his 17th year as the head cross country coach. He’s led 57 runners to All-MIAA status and 20 runners to All-Region honors since his start in 2005.
McCullough will get a sneak peek at his team in action this evening when the Tigers run in the FHSU Sand Plum Alumni Open. The exhibition five-kilometer race is set to begin at 7 p.m. at the Sand Plum Nature Trail in Victoria, Kan. The regular season will kick off on Friday, September 3 when FHSU travels to Kearney, Neb. for the UNK Invitational. The Tigers will run at home once in the regular season when they host the FHSU Tiger Open on Saturday, October 9 beginning at 9 a.m.
2021 MIAA Men’s Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Missouri Southern – 100 points (10 first-place votes)
2. Northwest Missouri State – 87 points
3. Nebraska-Kearney – 79 points
4. Pittsburg State – 69 points (1)
5. Central Missouri – 60 points
6. Fort Hays State – 59 points
7. Washburn – 40 points
8. Emporia State – 38 points
9. Missouri Western – 33 points
10. Rogers State – 30 points
11. Newman – 10 points