COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — On Thursday afternoon, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference released its 2026 Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll, along with the 2026 Preseason All-RMAC Men's Cross Country Team. Leading the way heading into the 2026 season is Colorado School of Mines, which edged Adams State for the top spot and was selected as the preseason favorite to win the RMAC title.
Adams State was selected second, just two points behind Colorado School of Mines and one first-place vote behind the Orediggers. The Grizzlies received seven first-place votes, six second-place votes and one third-place vote for a total of 188 points. Along with being selected to finish second in the conference, Adams State also had two of its top runners, Danyom Yosief and Jack Gumm, selected to the Preseason All-RMAC Team.
The second-place preseason selection comes after an outstanding 2025 season in which the Grizzlies finished second as a team at the NCAA Division II National Championships while also having the individual national champion in Kidus Begashaw, who graduated following the season. Although Adams State will have to replace Begashaw, the Grizzlies return both Yosief and Gumm, who competed at the national championships last season. Yosief finished 22nd overall, while Gumm placed 68th, helping Adams State secure its runner-up finish at the national meet. Heading into the 2026 season, the Grizzlies will lean on experienced runners such as Yosief and Gumm as they look to capture another RMAC championship and compete for a national title.
Regarding the rest of the conference, Colorado School of Mines was selected first in the preseason poll with 190 points and eight first-place votes. The Orediggers finished third at last year's NCAA Division II National Championships and are expected to be one of Adams State's top challengers throughout the 2026 season. Western Colorado was selected third with 163 points, followed by UCCS in fourth with 144 points and Fort Lewis in fifth with 136 points rounding out the top five.
The remainder of the preseason poll included CSU Pueblo in sixth with 123 points, Colorado Christian in seventh with 121, Colorado Mesa in eighth with 105, MSU Denver in ninth with 98, Black Hills State in 10th with 87, South Dakota Mines in 11th with 65, New Mexico Highlands in 12th with 52, Regis in 13th with 43, Chadron State in 14th with 41 and Westminster in 15th with 19.
Adams State will open the 2026 season at home on Saturday, September 12, at the 33rd Joe I. Vigil Open in Alamosa. The meet will be held at Cattails Golf Course, giving Grizzly fans their first opportunity to see the 2026 men's cross country team in action. With a strong group of returning athletes and two runners earning Preseason All-RMAC recognition, the Grizzlies will look to begin the season with momentum as they pursue another RMAC championship and a return to the national stage.
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
2026 Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Colorado School of Mines 190
2. Adams State 188
3. Western Colorado 163
4. UCCS 144
5. Fort Lewis 136
6. CSU Pueblo 123
7. Colorado Christian 121
8. Colorado Mesa 105
9. MSU Denver 98
10. Black Hills State 87
11. South Dakota Mines 65
12. New Mexico Highlands 52
13. Regis 43
14. Chadron State 41
15. Westminster 19
2026 Preseason All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference: Men's Cross Country
Weldon Chebon (1) New Mexico Highlands Jr. Timbora, Kenya
Koy Cunningham (2) UCCS 5th Monument, Colo.
Brett Davis (2) UCCS Sr. Thornton, Colo.
Oliver Diaz (1) Western Colorado So. Los Teques, Venezuela
Ethan Grolnic (2) Colorado School of Mines R-Sr. Arvada, Colo.
Dawson Gunn Colorado School of Mines R-Sr. Sweetwater, Texas
Jack Gumm (1) Adams State Gr. Haywards Heath, West Sussex, UK
Enzo Knapp (2) UCCS 5th Colorado Springs, Colo.
Mateo Luna Colorado Christian Gr. Largo, Fla.
Tyler Nord (1) Western Colorado Jr. Colorado Springs, Colo.
Kellen Reed Western Colorado R-So. McMinnville, Ore.
Tyler Scholl Colorado Christian Gr. Kremmling, Colo.
Danyom Yosief Adams State Sr. Las Vegas, Nev.
Cody Wyman (FotY, 2) Colorado School of Mines R-So. Lake George, Colo.
Symbols in parentheses are 2025 All-RMAC Recognitions: FotY – was the Freshman of the Year; 1 -was a First Team All-RMAC selection; 2 - was
a Second Team All-RMAC selection.
