BRIGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association has announced the results of its 2026 Cross Country Coaches' Poll. The Trine University men's cross country team was selected second in the poll.
 
The Thunder earned one first place vote in the poll and 41 points, checking in behind Hope College who claimed the other seven first place votes and 49 points. Calvin University was third with 38 points. Kalamazoo College and Adrian College rounded out the top five. Albion College, The University of Olivet, and Alma College completed the poll.
 
The Thunder open the season at Manchester University on September 4 with a 5k race. Trine's first race at the full 8k distance will take place the following week at the Michigan State Spartan Invitational. The Thunder will then head to the Live in Lou Cross Country Classic on October 3. October 17 sees Trine travel to either Oberlin College or Augustana College (Ill.) for interregional action. The MIAA Championships are set for October 31. The NCAA Regional Championships are scheduled for November 14.
 
Trine returns All-Region selection Blake Overmyer and All-MIAA selection Nicholas Spielman from last year's squad that took second at the MIAA Championships. National Qualifier Max Van Huis returns to the squad this year. Brady Millington is also returning for the Thunder. Trine brings in an impressive freshman class led by Soren Johnson and Alex Hamilton, both runners will vie for spots in the Thunder's top seven.
 
Trine opens the season at Manchester on September 4^th.