The University of Minnesota Crookston women’s cross country team was picked to finish in a tie for 12th in the NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Poll released Monday by the conference office. UMC finished 11th of 15 teams at the 2024 NSIC Championship.
Madison Hilliard (Sr., Jacksonville, N.C.), was picked as the Golden Eagles Preseason Athlete to Watch. Hilliard broke the school record at the NSIC Championship, with a time of 22:41.7, finishing 46th, the highest ever for a Golden Eagle.
“Through hard work and dedication, Madison set a new school record in the 6K at the 2024 NSIC Championship,” said Head Coach Steven Krouse. “Madison never settles and holds herself and teammates to high standards. Off the course, she has maintained a cumulative GPA over 3.8 and plans to attend Veterinary School upon graduation. Madison has been a building block for our program these past three years and I am excited to see what heights she is able to reach her senior year!”
In addition, the Golden Eagles return Caroline Kuehne (So., Long Prairie), who set the freshman record last season with a time of 22:51.49, finishing in 48th. Grace Alwardt (Jr., Lake Elsinore, Calif.), Eva Robinson (So., Cavalier, N.D.), and Emma Williams (Jr., Nashwauk) also return after strong seasons in 2024.
Minnesota Crookston also has a strong incoming class inbound for 2025. Morgan Shaw (Jr., Redmond, Ore.) was a First Team All-Conference pick at Willamette University in 2024 prior to transferring. She finished the 6K in 22:38.2 last season, which would have just put her ahead of Hilliard in last season’s NSIC Championship. Natalie Wood (So., Big Timber, Mont.) transfers from Montana State University after posting a personal best of 22:27 in the 6K, which would have put her in 35th place at last season’s NSIC Championship race. The Golden Eagles have also added a talented freshman group with Abby Borgerding (Fr., Northfield), Amber Collins (Fr., Deer Creek), Rivyn DiPadova (Fr., Soldiers Grove, Wis.), and Annelise Offerdahl (Fr., Circle Pines).
“Last year our women’s team set a school record for fastest 6k team average and placement at the NSIC Championship meet,” Krouse stated. “This year the trend should continue as we have a close-knit group of returners and six talented incomers joining us. We will be young as we only have one senior on the roster, but this team has never backed down from a challenge and I expect this year to be no different. I can’t wait to see what the team will be able to accomplish!”
Augustana University was picked to finish first with 10 first-place votes, while Winona State University was slotted second with three first-place votes. The Golden Eagles were picked in a tie with St. Cloud State University, and ahead of Wayne State College, Southwest Minnesota State University, and Concordia University-St. Paul. Winona State’s Sophia Taarud was selected as the NSIC Preseason Athlete to Watch.