Sangamon Sun

The Illinois College men's cross country team has been selected to finish sixth in the Midwest Conference (MWC) Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the league on Monday.

Grinnell College is projected to win the conference championship, receiving three first-place votes and totaling 64 points. The Pioneers are aiming for their 35th MWC title and their first since 2019. Lawrence University ranked second with four first-place votes and 60 points, while defending champion Cornell College was third with two first-place votes and 52 points. Ripon College and Knox College rounded out the top five with 43 and 37 points respectively.

Illinois College received 19 points in the poll. The Blueboys will be led by seniors Caden Dettmer and Nick Hannig, along with junior Robby Biesenthal. The roster also includes two sophomores and three freshmen.

Lake Forest College (17 points), Beloit College (16), and Monmouth College (16) completed the preseason rankings.

Since men's cross country began in the conference in 1929, only Grinnell and Cornell have won league titles.

The MWC Cross Country Championships are scheduled for Saturday, November 1, at Seminole Valley Park in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

"After a third-place finish at the conference meet in 2024, the Grinnell College men's cross country program has been picked to win the Midwest Conference crown in 2025."

"Since the inception of men's cross country in the league in 1929, only two programs have claimed the league title - Grinnell and Cornell College."

"The Blueboys will have three upperclassmen on the roster in 2025. Seniors Caden Dettmer and Nick Hannig, along with junior Robby Biesenthal, will lead a roster that also features two sophomores and three freshmen."

"Garnering three first-place votes and 64 total points, the Pioneers are projected to win their 35th championship - their first since 2019. Lawrence University was second with four first-place votes (60 points), and defending MWC champion Cornell College garnered the final two first-place votes (52 points). Ripon College (43 points) and Knox College (37) rounded out the top five."

"Illinois College (19 points), Lake Forest College (17 points), Beloit College (16 points), and Monmouth College (16 points) occupied the final four spots in the preseason poll."

"The 2025 MWC Cross Country Championships are slated for Saturday, November 1, at Seminole Valley Park in Cedar Rapids, Iowa."

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