The Northwest Missouri State University men's cross country team is ranked No. 9 in the nation in this week's USTFCCCA national coaches' poll.
 
The Bearcats also the top-rated team from the Central Region under the direction of coach Wick Cunningham.
 
USTFCCCA National Coaches' Poll (Sept. 24, 2025)
1. Wingate
2. Colorado School of Mines
3. Adams State
4. Grand Valley State
5. Colorado Christian
6. Lee, Tenn.
7. Chico State
8. Western Colorado
9. Northwest Missouri State
10. West Texas A&M
       Saginaw Valley State
12. Cal Poly Pomona
13. Pittsburg State
14. UC-Colorado Springs
15. Lewis
16. Western Washington
17. Charleston, W.Va.
18. Fort Lewis
19. Washburn
20. Michigan Tech
21. Alabama-Huntsville
22. Davis and Elkins
23. Shippensburg
24. Biola, Calif.
25. Walsh
26. Missouri Southern
27. Augustana, S.D.
28. Illinois-Springfield
29. East Central, Okla.
30. Tampa
 
Northwest Missouri State found its way to the top spot of the NCAA Div. II Central Region rankings after a tough weekend for former No. 1 East Central (Okla.). Pittsburg State took runner-up honors at the Missouri Southern Stampede and was the only NCAA Div. II team within 40 points of eventual winner Hutchinson (Kan.) CC. Missouri Southern ranks fifth after a third-place finish at its own meet after Jaden Deaton led the way with a fourth-place individual showing.
 
Central Region Rankings (Sept. 23, 2025)
1. Northwest Missouri State
2. Pittsburg State
3. Washburn
4. Augustana, S.D.
5. Missouri Southern
6. East Central, Okla.
7. Missouri Western
8. Nebraska-Kearney
9. Fort Hays State
10. Minnesota State