BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The University of Sioux Falls Women's Cross Country team enters the 2025 season with momentum and high expectations, as the Cougars were picked to finish 6th in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll. With a blend of experienced veterans and a strong group of newcomers, USF is positioned to make an impact in one of the toughest conferences in NCAA Division II.

"The USF women's team will be a fun mix of long distance and short distance girls, and they get to all work together to build a cross-country team," said head coach Eric Chilson. "We have an exciting group of incoming freshmen that will help support a veteran class of girls ready to make a big impact in the NSIC."

Player to Watch: Mallory Salazar

Senior Mallory Salazar (Buena Vista, Colo.) has been named USF's NSIC Player to Watch for the 2025 season. A consistent presence in the Cougar lineup throughout her career, Salazar has shown steady improvement each year and capped her junior campaign with personal bests in both the 5K and 6K.

In 2024, she competed in six meets, running a career-best 19:50.8 in the 5K at the Augustana Twilight and 23:16.6 in the 6K at the NSIC Championships. She was also named to the NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence for her performance in the classroom.

"Mallory had an amazing end of cross-country last year, which in turn catapulted her into a great indoor and outdoor season," said Chilson. "She ran the steeplechase at outdoor championships and showed lots of grit and determination. I am very excited to see her be a captain and step into a new role as one of the veteran leaders on the team."

Salazar has also earned multiple NSIC All-Academic honors in her career and was a D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award recipient as a sophomore.

2025 Season Outlook

The NSIC announced its preseason coaches' poll and season schedule, with Sioux Falls entering the year tabbed sixth. The conference slate will culminate at the NSIC Cross Country Championships on October 24 at Wayne Country Club in Wayne, Nebraska, followed by the NCAA Central Regional on November 8 in Joplin, Missouri, and the NCAA National Championships on November 22 in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

With a deep roster that balances experience and youth, the Cougars are aiming to build week by week to peak in championship season.

"We're excited to see how the group comes together this fall," Chilson said. "The girls have been putting in the work, and now it's about building on that each week to peak when it matters most."