VERMILLION, S.D.—South Dakota was picked to finish second in the Summit League women's cross country preseason poll and the men's cross country team was selected fourth. Freshman Julia Noah was named to the women's runners to watch list, while sophomore Jacob Simmons received the honor on the men's side.
 
With the top three runners from the Coyotes' two-time Summit League championship team lost to graduation, South Dakota looks to 2015 second-team all-league performers senior Nicole Schmidt and sophomore Megan Billington. A win this season would make South Dakota the second team to win three consecutive titles this decade. The Coyotes also boast seven incoming freshmen on the roster with Noah highlighting the list. Noah led Urbandale High School to a team championship as a senior, individually finishing runner-up in the race. She boasts personal bests of 4:41 for 1,500 meters and 10:01 for 3,000 meters.
 
The Coyote men were picked to finish in the same place they finished a year ago. South Dakota returns four athletes who competed at the Summit League meet last season. Junior Brice Cowman, who placed 21st last season, is the top returner for the Coyotes. Simmons did not compete at the Summit League Championship, but placed 11th in the 800 meters and 13th in the 1,500 meters at the Summit outdoor meet.
 
South Dakota opens the season at dusk Sept. 2 with the Augustana Twilight at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls, S.D.
 

2016 Summit League Women's Cross Country Poll
Rank	School	Points (1st)	2015 Finish
1.	South Dakota State	46 (4)	2nd
2.	South Dakota	42 (3)	1st
3.	North Dakota State	40 (1)	3rd
4.	IUPUI	29	4th
5.	Omaha	23	5th
6.	Fort Wayne	20	6th
7.	Oral Roberts	12	8th
	Western Illinois	12	7th
2016 Summit League Men's Cross Country Poll
Rank	School	Points (1st)	2015 Finish
1.	IUPUI	35 (5)	1st
2.	South Dakota State	30 (1)	2nd
3.	North Dakota State	25	3rd
4.	South Dakota	24 (1)	4th
5.	Fort Wayne	14	5th
6.	Oral Roberts	10	6th
7.	Western Illinois	9	7th