The Ottawa University men's and women's cross country teams were picked to finish 11th and 12th, respectively in the Coaches Poll in the KCAC at the 2023 KCAC Cross Country Virtual Media Day. The poll was released on Thursday, August 17. The Ottawa men received 41 points in the poll, and the women received 35 points.
Saint Mary led the men's poll with 142 points and 11 first-place votes. Kansas Wesleyan and Tabor finished out the top 3 with 130 points and one first-place vote for the Coyotes and 116 points for the Blue Jays. Friends came in fourth with 114 points and the remaining first-place vote. McPherson (87), Evangel (75), Southwestern (74), Bethany (66), York (60), and Bethel (53) came in spots 6-10. Ottawa slotted in the 11th spot with 41 points, and Oklahoma Wesleyan and Sterling rounded out the poll, tying for 12th with 28 points each.
Saint Mary also topped the women's poll with 144 points and 12 first-place votes. Tabor came in second with 124 points and the remaining first-place vote. Kansas Wesleyan (122), Friends (102), and York (83) rounded out the top five. McPherson (80), Evangel (79), Southwestern (75), Bethany (59), and Bethel (48) came in at spots 6-10. Oklahoma Wesleyan (35), Ottawa (34), and Sterling (29) finished the poll off at spots 11-13.
The Ottawa Cross Country teams begin their season in Wichita at the JK Gold Classic on Saturday, September 2.
2023 KCAC Coaches Preseason Poll (Men's)
Team, Points (First Place Votes)
- University of Saint Mary, 142 (11)
- Kansas Wesleyan University, 130 (1)
- Tabor College, 116
- Friends University, 114 (1)
- McPherson College, 87
- Evangel University, 75
- Southwestern College, 74
- Bethany College, 66
- York University, 60
- Bethel College, 53
- Ottawa University, 41
T12. Oklahoma Wesleyan University, 28
T12. Sterling College, 28
2023 KCAC Coaches Preseason Poll (Women's)
Team, Points (First Place Votes)
- University of Saint Mary, 144 (12)
- Tabor College, 124 (1)
- Kansas Wesleyan University, 122
- Friends University, 102
- York University, 83
- McPherson College, 80
- Evangel University, 79
- Southwestern College, 75
- Bethany College, 59
- Bethel College, 48
- Oklahoma Wesleyan University, 35
- Ottawa University, 34
- Sterling College, 29
