2026 National Preseason Rankings: MEN | WOMEN
 
NEW ORLEANS – The Colorado School of Mines Men's and Women's Cross Country teams both cracked the top-five in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches' (USTFCCCA) preseason rankings released this week.
 
The Oredigger men checked in at #2 in the nation, just one point behind defending national champion Wingate. Mines' women were #4, trailing just #1 Grand Valley State, #2 Adams State, and #3 Wingate. The rankings come after the Oredigger men finished #3 in the nation in 2025 while the women were #2 at the national meet – the highest finish in program history. Mines' men bring back cross country all-Americans in Dawson Gunn and Ethan Grolnic. The Oredigger women look to be anchored by cross country all-American returners Sierra Wall and Emily LaMena.
 
The Orediggers open their 2026 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Roadrunners Invitational hosted by MSU Denver at Washington Park.
 
Fans can keep up with Mines cross country on "X" (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @csmtrack. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.