Cross Country Running at North Dakota State University in the Summit League

Overview

Cross country running is a popular sport at North Dakota State University (NDSU), a Division I school that competes in the Summit League. The NDSU Bison have a rich history in cross country, with both the men's and women's teams achieving numerous conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances.

Men's Cross Country

Recent Success

The Bison men's cross country team has been a dominant force in the Summit League in recent years, winning seven consecutive conference titles from 2014 to 2020. They also qualified for the NCAA Championships in each of those seasons, finishing as high as 8th place in 2018.

Notable Athletes

NDSU has produced several notable men's cross country runners, including:

• Sam Anderson: Three-time Summit League individual champion and NCAA All-American
• Patrick Twomey: Two-time Summit League individual champion and NCAA Midwest Regional champion
• Nick Aho: Four-time Summit League All-Conference performer and NCAA Championships qualifier

Women's Cross Country

Strong Tradition

The Bison women's cross country team has also been highly successful, winning six Summit League championships since joining the conference in 2007. They have made numerous NCAA Tournament appearances, including a 10th-place finish in 2015.

Talented Individuals

NDSU has a history of attracting talented women's cross country runners, including:

• Sarah Berger: Two-time Summit League individual champion and NCAA All-American
• Lauren Jastram: Summit League individual champion and NCAA Championships qualifier
• Rachel Vaadeland: Four-time Summit League All-Conference performer and NCAA Midwest Regional champion

Summit League Competition

The Summit League is a competitive conference for cross country, with several schools having strong programs. Some of NDSU's main rivals include:

• South Dakota Coyotes: Two-time Summit League champions (2017, 2021)
• Oral Roberts Golden Eagles: 2019 Summit League champions
• Denver Pioneers: Former Summit League members who have won multiple conference titles

North Dakota State Bison Football Connection

Cross country running and football are closely intertwined at NDSU. Many of the Bison football players also compete on the cross country team, which helps them develop endurance and stamina for the football season.

The success of the Bison cross country program has played a role in the overall success of the football team, which has won eight FCS National Championships since 2011.

Future Outlook

With a strong tradition and a talented roster, the future looks bright for the NDSU Bison cross country teams. Both the men and women have the potential to continue their dominance in the Summit League and compete for NCAA Championships.

The program's success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the coaches and athletes, as well as the strong support from the NDSU community.