HILLSBORO, Ore. — The Pacific Lutheran University men's cross country team looks to buck expectations this fall after being picked eighth in the annual Northwest Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll released on Wednesday.
 
The Lutes secured 16 points in the poll, falling six points shy of seventh place Pacific University and scoring seven more points than ninth place Linfield University.

George Fox University is the prohibitive favorite to repeat as champions with eight of the nine first place votes and 64 total points. Whitworth University is second with 57 points and the remaining first place vote while Willamette University is third with 48 points. Lewis & Clark College is fourth with 44 points followed by Whitman College in fifth (34 points) and University of Puget Sound in sixth (30 points).

Pacific Lutheran begins the 2026 season at McIver State Park in Oregon, racing at the Lewis & Clark XC opener on Sept. 4. The Lutes host the annual PLU Invitational on Sept. 19 while competing at the 2026 NWC Championships on Oct. 31 in Independence, Ore.