MOSCOW, Idaho - On Monday morning, the Big Sky Conference announced the annual preseason polls for the 2025 fall semester. 

Voted on by the league's head coaches, Idaho men's Cross-Country was picked to finish sixth in the polls, just one point behind projected fifth-place Eastern Washington. The women's team tied with the Eagles in this regard, predicted to tie for fifth place. Both the Vandal men and women finished ahead of some combination of Montana, Sacramento State, Portland State, and Northern Colorado in their respective polls. 

Last year, UI was projected to finish fourth in both preseason polls before the 2024 season commenced. By year's end, both teams finished sixth at the Big Sky Championships, hosted by Idaho State in Pocatello. 

Northern Arizona received 19 of 20 possible first place votes between the men and women, securing the Lumberjacks as preseason favorites for another year. The women's team, voted unanimously to finish first, have claimed the last six Big Sky titles dating back to 2019. The men have taken home the last four since 2021.

The Vandals kick off the season in Cheney, WA at the Clash of the Inland Northwest on Aug. 29. The regular season will conclude for Idaho and the Big Sky at the annual conference championship, hosted by Montana State in Bozeman on Nov. 1. 

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