Burnsville, Minn. – The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference released its 2026 Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll on Wednesday. The University of Jamestown women's cross country team was selected to finish sixth out of 16 teams. 

2026 NSIC Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll 

The Jamestown women's cross-country team made quite a statement in its first year in the NSIC last season, finishing sixth at the NSIC Championships after being selected to finish 11th in the preseason poll. Like the men, the women's team was picked to finish in the same spot in which it finished last year: sixth. 

"Our women's XC team is coming off of a year of quickly building momentum and progression," said Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Jarvis Jelen. "We have a small, but greatly improved XC team from last year. Overall, we have a lot more experience, a lot more confidence, and improved fitness from last year's team. We return virtually all our key pieces from last year, and we go from an extremely young and inexperienced group to one that is mature and ready to compete!" 

Allyson Goodmanson, a sophomore from Hickson, N.D., was named the Athlete to Watch for Jamestown. Goodmanson finished as a top-four scorer in each of the five races she competed in during 2025. Her personal best in a 6K race is 23:02.6, and she was the second Jimmie to cross the finish line at the 2025 NSIC Championships with a time of 23:52.6, good for 44th place. 

"Ally started last year off relatively strong in cross country and then proceeded to build massive momentum in training and in racing throughout the rest of the year," Jelen noted. "She has quickly become a leader in all elements of our program—in training, in racing, and in the growth of our team culture. She is ready to have an excellent cross-country season and to continue to be one of the primary leaders of our program!" 

UJ's season will begin on Friday, September 4 in Sioux Falls, S.D. at the Augustana Twilight Meet.