The Bemidji State University cross country team was picked to finish 11th in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Women’s Cross Country Coaches’ Poll announced Thursday morning by the league. The poll is voted upon by league coaches and defending NSIC Champions Augustana University was voted as the preseason favorite.

Bemidji State’s Mary Goodwin was selected as the Beavers’ Athlete to Watch. From Eagle River, Alaska, Goodwin returns for her junior season after setting a personal record in the 6k at the NCAA Central Region Championship with a time of 23:27.51.

Bemidji State Cross Country is ready to hit the course again looking to improve upon its 11th place finish at the 2021 NSIC Championships and 29th at the NCAA Central Region Championship. Interim Head Coach Ben Baird begins his first season at the helm of the program that features five returning athletes who ran at the 2021 NSIC Championships.

The Beavers will open their six-meet schedule Sept. 9 with a meet day at the Dragon Twilight in Moorhead, Minn. BSU will follow with races at the Roy Griak Invitational on Sept. 23, the Jimmie Invite on Oct. 7, the Bob Waxlax Invite on Oct. 20, the NSIC Cross Country Championships on Nov. 5 and the NCAA Central Regional on Nov. 19.