The Northwest Missouri State University men's cross country squad has been picked to repeat at MIAA champions in a preseason poll of league coaches.

In 2024, the Bearcat men captured the program's second MIAA title, and first one in 52 years, under the direction of league coach of the year Wick Cunningham. The Bearcats went on to place 10th at the 2024 NCAA Division II national championship in Sacramento, California.

The Bearcat women have been tabbed for a tie for fourth place in the preseason MIAA coaches poll.


2025 MIAA MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Northwest Missouri State [10] – 118 points
2. Pittsburg State [2] – 111 points
3. Nebraska Kearney – 95 points
4. Washburn – 91 points
5. Missouri Southern – 79 points
6. Central Missouri – 69 points
7. Missouri Western – 63 points
8. Fort Hays State – 59 points
9. Rogers State – 42 points
10. Emporia State – 32 points
11. Newman – 22 points
12. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 12 points
[#] - Number of First Place Votes


2025 MIAA WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Pittsburg State [8] – 138 points
2. Rogers State [3] – 124 points
3. Fort Hays State – 111 points
T4. Nebraska Kearney [1] – 108 points
T4. Northwest Missouri State – 108 points
6. Missouri Southern [1] – 94 points
7. Washburn – 83 points
8. Emporia State – 62 points
9. Central Missouri – 60 points
10. Missouri Western – 49 points
11. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 35 points
12. Newman – 27 points
13. Central Oklahoma – 15 points 
[#] - Number of First Place Votes