The Mavericks were selected sixth in the Summit League Preseason Poll.
Nachtigal, Topham Tabbed Preseason Athletes to Watch
Aug 31, 2021 | Cross Country
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Omaha cross country was tabbed sixth in the Summit League Preseason Poll, the league announced Tuesday.
The Mavericks received 29 points ahead of Kansas City, Oral Roberts, and Western Illinois.
Maya Nachtigal and Joanna Topham were selected as Athletes to Watch this season. In 2019, Nachtigal made her career debut for Omaha. She appeared in five meets and scored in one. She posted a season best 5K time of 19:53.18 at the Joe Piane Invitational at Notre Dame, and a season best 6K time of 23:54.0 at the Bradley Pink Classic.
Topham also appeared in five meets in 2019 and scored in four of them. She finished a season best second on the team at the Green/Dirksen Invite at Nebraska with a 5K time of 19:34.6. She posted a season best 5K time of 19:08.55 at Notre Dame, and ran a 6K time of 23:11.7 at Bradley.
Omaha opens 2021 action Friday, Sept. 3 at the Augustana Twilight.
2021 Summit League Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll
Women's Athletes to Watch
Note: Athletes to Watch nominated by the league's head coaches
Anna Donnay | South Dakota State | Graduate Student
Leah Hansen | South Dakota State | Junior
Kelby Anderson | North Dakota State | Senior
Abrielle Jirele | South Dakota | Redshirt Freshman
Abby Rippera | South Dakota | Redshirt Junior
Ellyssa Peterson | North Dakota | Graduate Student
McKenzie Burian | North Dakota | Junior
Olivia Moll | St. Thomas | Senior
Sara Miller | St. Thomas | Senior
Maya Nachtigal | Omaha | Sophomore
Joanna Topham | Omaha |Senior
Katherine Hanners | Kansas City | Graduate Student
Alexa Granderson | Oral Roberts | Senior
Madison Trevena | Western Illinois | Freshman
Maleigha Huspon | Western Illinois | Freshman
The Mavericks received 29 points ahead of Kansas City, Oral Roberts, and Western Illinois.
Maya Nachtigal and Joanna Topham were selected as Athletes to Watch this season. In 2019, Nachtigal made her career debut for Omaha. She appeared in five meets and scored in one. She posted a season best 5K time of 19:53.18 at the Joe Piane Invitational at Notre Dame, and a season best 6K time of 23:54.0 at the Bradley Pink Classic.
Topham also appeared in five meets in 2019 and scored in four of them. She finished a season best second on the team at the Green/Dirksen Invite at Nebraska with a 5K time of 19:34.6. She posted a season best 5K time of 19:08.55 at Notre Dame, and ran a 6K time of 23:11.7 at Bradley.
Omaha opens 2021 action Friday, Sept. 3 at the Augustana Twilight.
2021 Summit League Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll
| Rank | School | Points (1st) |
| 1. | South Dakota State | 60 (6) |
| 2. | North Dakota State | 59 (3) |
| 3. | South Dakota | 51 |
| 4. | North Dakota | 41 |
| 5. | St. Thomas | 32 |
| 6. | Omaha | 29 |
| 7. | Kansas City | 24 |
| 8. | Oral Roberts | 16 |
| 9. | Western Illinois | 12 |
Women's Athletes to Watch
Note: Athletes to Watch nominated by the league's head coaches
Anna Donnay | South Dakota State | Graduate Student
Leah Hansen | South Dakota State | Junior
Kelby Anderson | North Dakota State | Senior
Abrielle Jirele | South Dakota | Redshirt Freshman
Abby Rippera | South Dakota | Redshirt Junior
Ellyssa Peterson | North Dakota | Graduate Student
McKenzie Burian | North Dakota | Junior
Olivia Moll | St. Thomas | Senior
Sara Miller | St. Thomas | Senior
Maya Nachtigal | Omaha | Sophomore
Joanna Topham | Omaha |Senior
Katherine Hanners | Kansas City | Graduate Student
Alexa Granderson | Oral Roberts | Senior
Madison Trevena | Western Illinois | Freshman
Maleigha Huspon | Western Illinois | Freshman
Players Mentioned
ATH
/ Cross Country
ATH
/ Cross CountryWednesday, August 26
Wednesday, August 26
Friday, August 21
Tuesday, April 21
