NEW ORLEANS--- The Stan State men's cross country team will begin the 2026 season ranked No. 8 in the NCAA Division II West Region, according to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) preseason regional rankings.
The Warriors are one of four California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) teams ranked in the West Region preseason top 10. Chico State holds the top spot in the region, while Cal Poly Pomona is third. Stan State is eighth with Cal State San Marcos ninth.
Western Washington of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) is ranked second, while Biola is fourth and Western Oregon rounds out the top five. Alaska Anchorage, Northwest Nazarene, Stan State, Cal State San Marcos and Westmont complete the top 10.
Stan State enters the 2026 season after finishing No. 13 in the final 2025 West Region rankings. The Warriors' preseason ranking represents a five-position improvement from where they concluded last season.
The Warriors will begin their 2026 campaign this Friday, Sept. 4, at the USF Invite at Hellman Hollow in San Francisco. The men's race is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
Stan State will return to the Central Valley for its lone home meet of the season, the Kim Duyst Twilight, on Saturday, Sept. 12, at River Oaks Golf Course in Ceres. The meet begins at 5:15 p.m., with the men's collegiate 8K race scheduled for 8:30 p.m.
The Warriors will return to San Francisco on Oct. 9 for the San Francisco State meet at Speedway Meadows before beginning postseason competition.
The 2026 CCAA Cross Country Championships are scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, at the CSUSB Cross Country Course in San Bernardino. The NCAA Division II West Regional will be held Nov. 21 at Arcade Creek Cross Country Course in Sacramento, with the NCAA Division II National Championship scheduled for Dec. 4 at Rim Rock Farm in Lawrence, Kansas.
USTFCCCA NCAA Division II West Region Rankings
- Chico State (CCAA)
- Western Washington (GNAC)
- Cal Poly Pomona (CCAA)
- Biola (PacWest)
- Western Oregon (GNAC)
- Alaska Anchorage (GNAC)
- Northwest Nazarene (GNAC)
- Stan State (CCAA)
- Cal State San Marcos (CCAA)
- Westmont (PacWest)
