The Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears have been ranked ninth in the 2026 Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll, following an eighth-place finish in the NSIC last season. With 101 points, CSP is ahead of Jamestown, which collected 88 points. Eight team members return this year, providing a strong foundation for continued top-10 performance. Head Coach Jonathan Breitbarth emphasizes the team's maturity and unity as they aim for improvement throughout the season. Junior Travis Tock has been highlighted as an athlete to watch after his significant progress last season.

By the Numbers
  • CSP earned 101 points in the preseason poll.
  • Travis Tock improved 48 spots, finishing 47th at the NSIC Championships with a time of 26:58.2.
State of Play
  • Augustana leads the poll with 196 points and 14 first-place votes.
  • MSU Moorhead is in second place with 182 points, followed by other top teams: Minnesota State, UMary, and Sioux Falls.
What's Next

The Golden Bears will kick off their season on September 4 at the Augie Twilight in Sioux Falls, aiming to improve their ranking as the season progresses. The NSIC Championships are scheduled for November 7, followed by the NCAA Central Region Championships on November 21.

Bottom Line

CSP's focus on team unity and dedication, led by strong returning athletes like Tock, positions them for potential growth this season. Watch for their performance in upcoming competitions as they strive to break into the top tier of the NSIC.