NAMPA, Idaho  - The Northwest Nazarene University men's and women's cross country teams received their preseason rankings for the 2026 season. 

The Nighthawk men were picked to finish tied for second with Alaska Anchorage, with both teams receiving 83 points in the conference poll. The NNU men enter this season after a historic 2025 season, after making their first NCAA Division II National Championship appearance in program history and finishing third at the GNAC Championships. With the National experience behind them, the Nighthawks will look to compete at the top of the conference once again. 

The Nighthawk women were selected seventh with 60 points after placing sixth at the 2025 GNAC Championships. With a strong group of returners the Nighthawks will look to build off last season and use the preseason ranking as another opportunity to prove themselves and move up the conference standings this fall.

Western Washington was selected as the preseason favorite on both the men's and women's sides, receiving all 10 first place votes. 

NNU will start their season this Friday at the Clash of the Inland Northwest in Spokane, Washington hosted by Gonzaga.