ASHLAND — The Southern Oregon men's cross country team is expected to win the Cascade Conference title this fall after being voted the top team in the coaches' preseason poll. 

The poll, which was released Thursday by the league office, also has the Raiders in the No. 2 slot on the women's side behind College of Idaho. 

Last season, both squads placed second at the Cascade Conference Championship, with Eastern Oregon winning the men's title and College of Idaho earning the women's. The 2026 championship will be held in Lewiston on Nov. 6, hosted by Lewis-Clark State. 

The Raider men bring back all five scorers from their conference and national championship run, including All-Americans Mason Weisgerber and Carter Stedman, while decorated Alyssa Johnson returns for the women. 

SOU opens its season up on Sept. 5 at the Simpson Invitational in Cottonwood, Calif. 

The NAIA coaches' Top 25 poll will be released next week.  

2026 CCC Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll

Team (First-Place Votes)	Points
1. Southern Oregon University (8)	139
2. College of Idaho	121
3. Corban University (2)	117
4. Trinity Western University	112
5. Eastern Oregon University (2)	109
6. Northwest University	84
7. Oregon Institute of Technology	70
8. Lewis-Clark State College	61
9. The Evergreen State College	44
10. Bushnell University	28
11. Walla Walla University	27
12. Warner Pacific University	24

2026 CCC Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll

Team (First-Place Votes)	Points
1. College of Idaho (10)	142
2. Southern Oregon University (1)	126
3. Eastern Oregon University	116
4. Lewis-Clark State College	110
5. Corban University	90
6. Trinity Western University (1)	75
7. Oregon Institute of Technology	72
8. Northwest University	62
9. The Evergreen State College	58
10. Bushnell University	44
11. Walla Walla University	23
12. Warner Pacific University	15