KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Southern men's and women's cross country teams were both selected among the top four teams in the 2026 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association preseason coaches polls, announced Friday by the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association office.

The Lion men were picked tied for third with Nebraska Kearney, earning 90 points in the preseason poll. Pittsburg State was selected as the men's preseason favorite with 114 points and five first-place votes, while Washburn was second with 108 points and three first-place selections.

On the women's side, Southern was selected fourth with 107 points and received one first-place vote. Pittsburg State topped the women's poll with 138 points and seven first-place votes, followed by Rogers State with 128 points and three first-place selections. Nebraska Kearney was third with 116 points and one first-place vote.

The Lions enter the 2026 season looking to build on a strong 2025 campaign, returning key contributors Jaden Deaton, Chase Sorrell and Lilah Genel. Deaton earned First Team All-MIAA honors after placing seventh at the 2025 MIAA Championships and sixth at the NCAA Division II Central Region Championships, while Sorrell placed 23rd at the MIAA Championships before finishing 18th at the NCAA Division II Central Region Championships. Genel earned All-MIAA Honorable Mention honors after placing 18th at the MIAA Championships before finishing 20th at the NCAA Division II Central Region Championships. All three earned USTFCCCA All-Region honors for their performances at the regional championship.

Southern's men's and women's teams are set to compete in six meets during the 2026 season. The campaign opens Sept. 5 at the Southwest Baptist Bearcat Invitational in Bolivar, Missouri, before the Lions return home for the 37th annual Southern Stampede on Sept. 19 at the Tom Rutledge Cross Country Course.