Sangamon Sun

The Illinois College men's cross country team has been projected to finish seventh at the upcoming Midwest Conference Championships, according to a preseason poll released by the league today.

The Blueboys will return five of their seven runners from last year's team that finished fifth. These returning athletes include Devin Boggs, Nick Hannig, Robby Biesenthal, Gabe Roberts, and Caden Dettmer.

In the poll conducted among Midwest Conference Men's Cross Country coaches, Grinnell College narrowly edged out Cornell College by one point (60-59) as the favorite to win the 2024 league championship. The two schools combined for eight of the top ten individual times at last year's event, with Grinnell taking the title and Cornell finishing second overall.

Ripon College secured third place in the poll with 48 points, just ahead of Lawrence University which garnered 47 points. This ranking mirrors their respective finishes from last year. Knox College and Monmouth College tied for fifth place with 27 points each, suggesting an anticipated improvement from their previous sixth and seventh positions respectively.

Illinois College was placed seventh in the poll with 25 points. Lake Forest College and Beloit College rounded out the rankings in eighth and ninth places with 18 and 13 points respectively.

The 2024 MWC Cross Country Championships are scheduled for Saturday, November 2, at Reid Municipal Golf Course in Appleton, Wisconsin. The men's race is set to begin at noon.

2024 MWC Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll Results:

1. Grinnell College (5) – 60 points

2. Cornell College (4) – 59 points

3. Ripon College – 48 points

4. Lawrence University – 47 points

5. Knox College – 27 points

Monmouth College – 27 points

7. Illinois College – 25 points

8. Lake Forest College – 18 points

9. Beloit College – 13 points