PELLA—The Central College men's and women's cross country teams were both included in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association's preseason Division III national rankings in the No. 30 slot Wednesday
           
The preseason regional rankings were also released earlier in the week, and the Central women were No. 4 in the Midwest Region while the men were fifth.
           
The reigning national champions for the both the men and women start the new season at No. 1. New York University leads the way in the women's poll and the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse paces the men's list.
           
The Dutch men return six of its seven starters from last season, headlined by national qualifier and indoor track and field mile national champion Jack Brown (senior, Norwalk). Central's women's squad also returns a wealth of talent, including all-region performers Maddy Stevens (sophomore, Grimes, Dallas Center-Grimes HS) and Teah Miller (senior, Iowa Falls, Iowa Falls-Alden HS).
           
Both programs start the 2026 campaign Friday, Sept. 4 with the Central Dutch Invitational on the college cross country course at 6 p.m.