Bison Women Voted Preseason Favorites in Summit League Cross Country Poll

Bison Women Aim to Defend League Title

University Looks to Build on Impressive 2021 Campaign

The North Dakota State University Bison women's cross country team has been voted the preseason favorite to win the Summit League championship in 2022, according to a poll of the league's head coaches.

The Bison, who won the Summit League title in 2021, received seven first-place votes and 84 total points in the poll. South Dakota was picked second with 77 points and two first-place votes, followed by Oral Roberts with 73 points and one first-place vote.

The Bison women return four of their top five runners from last year's championship team, including All-American Anne Johnston. Johnston finished third at the NCAA Midwest Regional and 47th at the NCAA Championships in 2021.

Other key returners for the Bison include senior Grace Loper, junior Makenna Reeb, and sophomore Alayna Litzen. Loper was the Summit League Freshman of the Year in 2019, while Reeb and Litzen were both All-Summit League performers last year.

The Bison women will open their season on September 2 at the Augustana Twilight in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Individual Accolades for Bison

In addition to being picked as the preseason favorite to win the Summit League title, the Bison women also had two runners named to the preseason all-conference team.

• Anne Johnston, senior
• Grace Loper, senior

Johnston and Loper were both All-Summit League performers last year, and they are expected to be among the top runners in the league again in 2022.

Bison Aim to Build on Success

The Bison women's cross country team has been one of the most successful programs in the Summit League in recent years. The Bison have won the league title four times in the past six years, and they have finished in the top three every year since 2015.

The Bison will be looking to build on their success in 2022. The team has a strong core of returning runners, and they are expected to be one of the top contenders for the Summit League title.