By: Madie Brink
August 18, 2022
SIOUX FALLS – The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) released their Preseason Coaches' Poll earlier today. The USF Men's Cross Country team found themselves picked 2nd in the NSIC this season after their 3rd place finish in the NSIC last October. The women's team also jumped the ladder to 6th this preseason compared to their 9th place start last season.
"Our top seven runners from the NSIC Championships and NCAA Central Region Meet are back for the 2022 season," said head coach Doug Petersen. "After a strong track season from these runners earlier this year, they are ready to improve on last year's championship efforts."
Two runners that will be returning to The Coo this season will be senior, David Ecker and sophomore Khot Juac, both of which have been named to the 2022 NSIC Athletes to Watch list this season.
David Ecker, an Eau Claire, WI native, finished last season with an 18th place finish in the 8K at the NSIC Cross Country Championships with a time of 25:57.0 while picking up a 46th finish in the 10K at the 2021 NCAA DII Central Region Cross Country Championships. Ecker was also able to etch his name in the history books as a member of the programs first NSIC Cross Country Championship in 2018.
"David is coming off of an outstanding indoor and outdoor track season where he set the school record in the Steeplechase and hit a provisional qualifying mark," said Coach Petersen. "He also had top ten efforts in the 1500m and 5000m last season. David has gotten stronger each year and has shown that he is one of the top runners in the NSIC."
Khot Juac, a local graduate from Washington High School, has been able to set the tone for the women's program here at USF as she collected a 33rd place finish at the 2021 NSIC Cross Country Championships with a time of 23:25.18 and a 69th place finish in the 6K at the 2021 NCAA DII Central Regional Championships with a time of 22:37.2.
"Khot had a very strong Cross Country season in 2021 and really established herself as one of the top runners during the indoor and outdoor season," said Coach Petersen. "She placed in both the indoor and outdoor track championships last season and set multiple school records for us."
The Cougars open up their season at the Augustana Twilight in Sioux Falls on September 2nd.
For all things Cougar Cross Country be sure to follow @USFTFCC on Twitter and @USF_TFXC on Instagram.
