FARMINGTON, Utah – The Big Sky Conference released the results of the 2023 Men's and Women's Cross Country Preseason Polls, as voted on by its coaches. The Vandal women were tabbed to finish third while the men were picked fourth. 

The women received 81 votes to earn a third-place position in the preseason poll. The Idaho women finished second at the 2022 Big Sky Championships in Cheney, Wash. last year. Maya Kobylanski returns for her senior year after a third-place finish in the Big Sky Championships, while junior Katja Pattis and graduate student Nathalia Campos also return for the Vandals after 15th and 19th place finishes, respectively.

The men's squad was selected fourth in the Big Sky preseason rankings with 69 points after a fifth-place finish at the 2022 Big Sky Championships. The Idaho men return three top-30 finishers in senior Lorenz Herrman (15th), graduate student Tim Stevens (27th), and senior Shea Mattson (29th).

The 2023 cross country season kicks off next Friday, Sept. 1, when the Vandals head to Cheney, Wash. for the Clash of the Inland Northwest. The Big Sky Championships are set for Friday, October 27 in Missoula, Mont.

2023 Big Sky Women's XC Poll Results

1) Northern Arizona (10) – 100
2) Montana State – 87
3) Idaho - 81 
4) Weber State – 71
5) Idaho State – 42
6) Portland State – 41
T7) Eastern Washington – 39
T7) Northern Colorado – 39
9) Montana – 31
10) Sacramento State – 19
 
() – Indicates First-Place Votes

2023 Big Sky Men's XC Poll Results
 
1) Northern Arizona (10) – 100
2) Montana State – 89
3) Weber State - 80 
4) Idaho – 69
T5) Eastern Washington – 47
T5) Idaho State – 47
T7) Montana – 39
T7) Portland State – 39
9) Sacramento State – 25
10) Northern Colorado – 15

() – Indicates First-Place Votes