The 2020-21 Men's Cross Country Coaches' Top 25 poll came out today. The MSU-Northern Lights are ranked 25  for the first time in Northern history with 101 points.

Following a 3^rd place finish in the Frontier Conference Championships, the MSU-Northern Men's Cross-Country team earned a top 25 ranking for the first time it its 6-year history. We were closing in on national recognition at the end of last season, getting some votes from some raters in different parts of the country.  Unfortunately, we didn't finish well last year and we didn't make the cut at the end of the season.  This year was different: the guys stayed healthy, patient, and poised.  They earned the recognition, and they certainly earned my respect. 
 
If the rankings hold, the men's team will travel to Cedar Rapids Iowa for the National Cross-Country Championships in April – this would also be historic for the program. In any other year, the ticket would have already been punched and the team would be at Nationals right now.  This year, however, there are still a few conferences that delayed their season and still have the opportunity to compete in meets and push themselves into the top 25 polls. This modified cross country season places the Northern Harriers in unchartered territory.  We've never had to train for races in the winter and that will be a challenge.  If we don't train and compete this winter, there is a good chance we'll lose our national standing by March. It seems a little unfair, but I like idea of toughing through a winter training schedule. If it all works out, I think our men will be pretty tough by April. They'll definitely learn some new limits.


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