WINONA, Minn - Winona State men's and women's Cross Country teams will open their season at Augustana Twilight under the lights at Yankton Trails Park in Sioux Falls, S.D. on Friday, September 4th.
The women will race in the 5k which begins at 8:45 p.m. The men follow at 9:15 p.m. in the four mile race to conclude the event.
Women's Cross Country Notes:
- The Warriors were voted league favorites in the 2026 NSIC Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll.
- Junior Ella Voit was voted NSIC Preseason Athlete of the Year. Voit finished sixth at the NSIC Championship in 2025 and a 21st place finish in the 2025 NCAA Regional Championship. Voit also made the 2026 USTFCCCA Second Team All-American list and USTFCCCA All-Region team along with being named the 2024 NSIC Women's Cross Country Newcomer of the Year.
- The 2026 season marks Darin Shepardson's first year as the head coach of the Warriors.
Men's Cross Country Notes:
- Winona State gathered 119 points in the 2026 NSIC Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll putting them in 6th place.
- The Warriors finished in sixth place at the NSIC Championships during the 2025 season.
- Senior Jacob Lanzara is coming off finishing 45th place at the 2025 NSIC Cross Country Championship and 108th at the 2025 NCAA Regional Championship.
The Warriors will be off to St. Paul following Friday's race to race at the Roy Griak Invitational September 18th.
