BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference announced the 2024 Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Polls in a release today. The Cougars were picked 5^th on both sides and also saw Khot Juac named the Preseason Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year.
 
After her school record 5^th place finish at the 2023 NCAA Championships, Khot Juac is expected to finish atop the NSIC in 2024. The Sioux Falls native closed last year's NSIC Championships in 3^rd place before taking 2^nd on the regional stage. Her 2023 campaign included 5 top meet times, 12 top-3 finishes, NSIC Fall All-Academic Team of Excellence honors, NSIC Athlete of the Week honors, and NCAA D2 Cross Country All-American honors. Juac was also named USF's athlete to watch for 2023 but the Preseason Athlete of the Year honor in 2024 is her first. This also marks the first Women's Preseason Cross Country Athlete of the Year for USF since joining DII and the first Preseason Athlete of the Year for USF Cross Country since Mason Phillips in 2019.
 
Head Coach Eric Chilson on Khot:
"Khot is the most successful female distance runner in USF history. She brings experience and dedication to our squad and will be someone the team can lean on."
 
On the team front the Cougars saw identical rankings, both are expected to finish in 5^th place after 5^th place finishes in 2023. This will be the first season for USF Cross Country under Head Coach Eric Chilson. Khot is the obvious Athlete to Watch on the Women's side while Ben Morrison was named on the Men's side. The senior finished 19^th at the NSIC Championships last year and took 68^th at regionals.

Head Coach Eric Chilson on Ben:
"Ben Morrison is a pillar within our Men's team. He is a talented student-athlete who leads by example and is the epitome of what it means to be a USF Cougar."

Head Coach Eric Chilson on the 2024 Cross Country squads:
"Our women's team has the potential to be really competitive and I'm so thrilled to see what we're capable of achieving. The team is led by some talented returning athletes who look to make an impact at the Conference level. We're excited about the potential of our men's squad. We bring back a wealth of experience with a talented senior group. We're going to work as hard as we can, do the little things, and always look to God and strive to glorify Him through it. "

The Cougars will open their season right at home in Sioux Falls as they take on the Augustana Twilight on September 6^th.