2025 NCAA DII Men’s Cross Country National Coaches’ Poll – Week 4
NEW ORLEANS – No more holding your breath. We’ve got results to dissect.
Here is the 2025 Week 4 edition of the NCAA DII Men’s Cross Country National Coaches’ Poll, as released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Wednesday. USTFCCCA polls and rankings are presented by AthleticNET.
NCAA Division II — Men's Cross Country
This Week's National Top Five
1
Colo. School of Mines
Colo. School of Mines
2
Wingate
Wingate
3
Adams State
Adams State
4
Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State
5
Lee (Tenn.)
Lee (Tenn.)
Cross Country Polls & Rankings
For the first time all year the voters were split, but in the end, it was Colo. School of Mines that was dubbed No. 1.
The Orediggers’ showing at the Lucian Rosa Invitational was simply too good to overlook. In what may go down as a preview of November, eight ranked teams entered and only one emerged on top. No. 3 Adams State and No. 5 Lee (Tenn.) threw everything they had at Colo. School of Mines, but it was all for naught, as the Orediggers fought off every effort, taking a seven point victory over the Grizzlies.
Now, the moment we’ve all been waiting for: Wingate’s debut. The Bulldogs put it all on the line at the Paul Short Run Gold Race and… saw mixed results. While a fifth place finish doesn’t have the same ring as taking home the title, there’s more to the story. Last year, Wingate stunned everyone with a 65 point win over NCAA DI No. 12 Harvard. But below the Crimson? Not a single other ranked team. This year, their hands were full with three ranked Division I programs and another receiving votes. Not to mention, Lars Laros, a senior that finished third overall in 2024, did not run.
Accounting for all that, the Bulldogs fell one position to No. 2. This is the first week since 2023 where someone other than Wingate was named the best in the country.
Perhaps stealing a page from their playbook, No. 4 Grand Valley State took a crack at the Joe Piane Invitational. Just like out east, the race featured some dynamic lineups, most notably NCAA DI No. 9 Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish left no chance for debate on their home course, yet, the Lakers did manage to triumph over UW-La Crosse, the 2024 NCAA DIII Champions, 158-172. Without putting too much stake into times, GVSU averaged 23:31 at the meet last year and was seven seconds off that in 2025.
Looking ahead, the Lewis Crossover should provide answers to some lingering questions and open up new ones in the process with 12 ranked teams listed on the start lists. Showdowns to watch? The Midwest Region is represented by No. 10 Saginaw Valley State, No. 16 Lewis, No. 19 Michigan Tech, and No. 23 Walsh. On the other hand, the West Region is sending four of their own with No. 8 Chico State, No. 14 Western Washington, No. 18 Northwest Nazarene, and No. 28 Biola (Calif.) all scheduled to make an appearance.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 22, because that’s when the 2025 NCAA DII Cross Country Championships will be held at the Wayne E. Dannehl National Cross Country Course in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
