# NSIC preseason college sports rankings

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/nsic-preseason-college-sports-rankings
> Updated: 2026-08-19T11:17:00.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 3.

In early August 2026, the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) released preseason coaches’ polls for football, volleyball, and cross country.

In football, Minnesota State topped both the overall and South division rankings, while Minnesota Duluth led the North division. Bemidji State was projected to finish seventh overall, with senior defensive back Caden Bolte and quarterback Connor Carver named as the program’s defensive and offensive players to watch, respectively. Winona State was ranked ninth overall and fifth in the South division; junior quarterback Jackson Flottmeyer and senior defensive lineman David Nies were highlighted as the team’s standout players.

The volleyball poll ranked Bemidji State 13th following a 7–21 season in 2025. First-year head coach Hahni Johnson noted the returning roster, while sophomore setter Madison Tripp was named the preseason Player-to-Watch. Minnesota State was projected sixth after a 23–6 season, with junior setter Jadyn Lester identified as the team’s Player-to-Watch. The top five volleyball spots were occupied by Concordia-St. Paul, Wayne State, St. Cloud State, Southwest Minnesota State, and Sioux Falls.

In cross country, the Winona State men’s team was projected to finish sixth, with senior Jacob Lanzara named the preseason Athlete to Watch under new head coach Darin Shepardson. In the women’s poll, the University of Mary was selected to finish fifth, with junior transfer Amanda Overgaauw named the Athlete to Watch.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-19: NSIC preseason cross country polls name Winona State and University of Mary selections

Winona State men and University of Mary women were selected in the NSIC preseason cross country coaches' polls, with both programs naming specific athletes to watch.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nsic-preseason-cross-country-polls-name-winona-state-and-university-of-mary-selections

### 2026-08-05: Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Volleyball Preseason Poll Ranks Bemidji State 13th, Minnesota State 6th

NSIC preseason volleyball poll ranks Bemidji State 13th and Minnesota State 6th, with coaches highlighting Madison Tripp and Jadyn Lester as key players.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/northern-sun-intercollegiate-conference-volleyball-preseason-poll-ranks-bemidji-state-13th-minnesota

### 2026-08-03: NSIC preseason football poll places Bemidji State seventh and Winona State ninth

The NSIC preseason coaches poll ranks Bemidji State seventh overall and Winona State ninth overall (fifth in the South), highlighting key players for each team.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nsic-preseason-football-poll-places-bemidji-state-seventh-and-winona-state-ninth

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Cite as: NSIC preseason college sports rankings. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/nsic-preseason-college-sports-rankings