The Concordia University, Nebraska Cross County teams are each ranked in the 2007 NAIA preseason ratings. The men will start the season ranked No. 12, while the women are listed at No. 20.
Concordia is one of two GPAC teams rated on the men's side, the other being Doane at No. 16, while Hastings is receiving votes. No other GPAC team is ranked in the top 25 on the women's side.
A complete listing of the Top 25 teams can be found at www.NAIA.org.
For the men, this season's team will be led by junior Luka Thor (Lincoln, Neb.). Thor is a two-time NAIA All-American and last season's GPAC and NAIA Region III Champion. Also back are the Bulldogs No. 2 and No. 3 runners, sophomores Zach Meineke and David Goeglein. With a year under their belt, Head Coach Dr. Kregg Einspahr expects the men to be an improved squad.
"Last season we had a big gap between Luka (Thor) and our No. 2 runner," Einspahr said. "It looks like this season that gap should close considerably, helping our team scores. I am excited about the potential."
On the women's side Concordia looks to continue their run of appearances at the NAIA National Championships. The Bulldogs have finished in the top 20 at the NAIA National Championships a remarkable 13 years in a row, including four National Runner-Up finishes in the last seven years. The team has good depth, but is looking to develop a solid front runner, which could be senior Emly Hartmann (Seward, Neb.).
The Bulldogs start their season Sept. 15, at the Woody Greeno Invite in Lincoln, Neb. Concordia's home meet is set for Oct. 6, in Seward, Neb., at 10:30 am.