NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The St. Olaf College men's cross country team was ranked in both the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division III Men's Cross Country National Coaches' Poll and the D3 Glory Days Preseason Poll, as announced this week.

Under first-year head coach Luke Kopnick, St. Olaf will begin the 2026 season ranked No. 20 by D3 Glory Days and No. 23 by the USTFCCCA. The No. 23 ranking is the seventh consecutive USTFCCCA preseason national ranking for the Oles and the 16th since 2008. This is the first year of the D3 Glory Days Preseason Poll.

Including this year's preseason poll, St. Olaf has been ranked in 69 consecutive USTFCCCA national polls, a streak that began with the Week 2 poll in 2018. The Oles have finished in the top 20 at the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships in each of the last five seasons.

St. Olaf will open its season by hosting the Ole 5K Opener on Friday, Sept. 4 at 6 p.m.