BISMARCK, N.D. -- The Bellevue University men's cross country team is picked to finish in fourth place in the North Star Athletic Association as the league office released the 2024 NSAA Coaches' Preseason Poll today. 

The Bruins return three letterwinners, including the NSAA individual champion Richard Marcoux from last season's squad that finished in third place at the 2023 NSAA Championships. Marcoux finished in 100th place at the NAIA National Championships, the best individual performance at Nationals in school history.  

Dickinson State (N.D.) and Dakota State (S.D.) each recorded 22 points to earn a tie for the top spot in the Preseason Poll. Coaches were allowed to vote for their own team.

The Blue Hawks, who ended Dakota State's five-year run as the NSAA Champion last season, tallied three first-place in the conference preseason poll.  The Trojans picked up the final two first-place votes.

Jamestown (N.D.), returning to the league this year for the first time since 2017-18, finished third in the preseason poll after recording 16 points.  Bellevue was fourth with 10 points, while Valley City State (N.D.) placed fifth with five points.

VCSU will be the host site for this year's North Star Athletic Association Cross Country Championships on Friday, Nov. 8.  The site is set to take place at Bjornson Park Golf Course in Valley City, N.D.

The team winner of the conference meet will represent the North Star Athletic Association in the NAIA Men's Cross Country National Championships at Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia, Mo., on Friday, Nov. 22.