HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky University Norse cross country season is right around the corner, as the Horizon League announced its preseason polls on Thursday. 

The Norse come in tied for fifth on the men's side, while the women's team was voted to finish in seventh. The 2025 season marks the 32nd and final for long-time head coach Steve Kruse, who announced his intent to retire following the end of the 2026 outdoor track & field season on August 22. 

NKU's 2025 men's roster consists of 16 student-athletes, all of whom are returners from the 2024 squad. Senior Natnael Weldemichael finished in second place in last year's men's Horizon League Championship, also making him a first-team selection in 2024. Colton O'Hara, a second-team selection in both 2024 and 2023, also returns to the squad after posting top-15 championship finishes in each of the last two seasons. Other key returners on the men's side include graduate student Stetson Childress, who finished 30th at last year's championships, and sophomores Samsun Weldemichael and Nathan Ruth.

On the women's side, the Norse's 2025 roster includes 14 student-athletes, 13 of whom are returners. Freshman Maggie Foust is the only newcomer for the Norse. Key returners include sophomore Brittany Arnold, who capped a great freshman campaign with a 32nd-place finish at the 2024 Horizon League championships, junior Julia Verhoff, who finished in 43rd place at last year's championships, and Carlie Condit, who finished 50th. 

2025 Under Armour Men's #HLXC Preseason Poll
Place. Team (First Place Votes) – Points
1. Youngstown State (9) – 98
2. IU Indianapolis (1) – 86
3. Oakland – 73
4. Green Bay – 63
T5. Northern Kentucky – 55
T5. Purdue Fort Wayne – 55
7. Milwaukee – 38
8. Wright State – 34
9. Detroit Mercy – 31
10. RMU – 17
 
2025 Under Armour Women's #HLXC Preseason Poll
Place. Team (First Place Votes) – Points
1. RMU (7) – 111
2. Youngstown State (2) – 102
3. Oakland (1) – 99
4. Purdue Fort Wayne (1) – 97
5. Milwaukee – 82
6. IU Indianapolis – 67
7. Northern Kentucky – 48
8. Detroit Mercy – 40
9. Green Bay – 36
10. Wright State – 24
11. Cleveland State – 20

The Norse travel to Eastern Kentucky first race of the season on Friday, August 29. 

FOLLOW NKU NORSE CROSS COUNTRY
Get in the game and follow Northern Kentucky's NCAA Division I college cross country teams through @NKUNorseXCTF on Twitter, @nkunorsexctf on Instagram, Northern Kentucky University Cross Country/Track & Field on Facebook and subscribe to the NKU Norse Youtube channel.