OGDEN, Utah-Monday afternoon, the Big Sky Conference released its men’s and women’s cross country polls, with both Southern Utah and Weber State picked to finish in the upper echelon of the league’s standings.
The Southern Utah men are picked second, behind favorite and traditional power Northern Arizona, and the women are slated to finish third, per a poll conducted by coaches around the conference. The Weber State men check in at third overall in the standings.
For the women, Montana State is the league favorite, with Southern Utah in third place and Weber State checking in at fifth.
The Thunderbirds’ men are expected to be led by junior Aidan Reed of Helena, Mont., redshirt senior George Espino of Las Vegas, senior Liam Kennell of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, sophomore Nate Osterstock of Holladay, Utah and sophomore Christian Ricketts of Grover Beach, Calif.
For the SUU women the leaders are expected to be redshirt senior Sharlie Dimick of Syracuse, Utah, redshirt sophomore Madison Fruchey of Huntertown, Ind., and redshirt senior Angie Nickerson of Murray, Utah.
Other Thunderbird women who could excel throughout the year include redshirt junior Brighton Glassman of Eugene, Ore., redshirt junior Maddy Kauffman of Lehi, Utah, Julieta Navarrete-Lamas of Orem, Utah’s Timpanogos High School, redshirt junior Morgan Porcaro of Erda, Utah and sophomore Alison Pray of Payson, Utah and Salem Hills High School.
