MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Minnesota State Moorhead cross country is set to begin the 2025 season as they host the 10th Annual Dragon Twilight Invitational inside Alex Nemzek Stadium. The women's Randy Smith 5k is scheduled to begin at 8:10 p.m. with the Fred Dahnke men's 6k slated to follow at 8:40 p.m.

Live video and results will be available at msumdragons.com. 

The Moorhead men were selected second in the NSIC preseason coaches' pioll while the Dragon women were slotted eighth in the poll. Junior Katelyn Kennedy and redshirt sophomore Chase Hoechst were named 'Athletes to Watch' while Hoechst was noted as the NSIC Preseason Athlete of the Year. 

MSUM's women came in eighth behind 122 points as Augustana ranked atop the women's poll with 217 points and 10 first-place votes. Winona State, University of Mary and Minnesota State occupied the other first-place nods on the women's side. 

"This year's team blends experienced returners with exciting newcomers, each contributing unique strengths," said head cross country coach Ryan Milner when discussing the Dragon women. "With that combination of talent, consistency, and team-first mentality, I'm confident we'll see strong performances throughout the 2025 season."

The junior Kennedy earns the 'athlete to watch' honor after a strong sophomore campaign which saw her set new personal bests in both the 5k and 6k. Kennedy ran a 19:33.6 at last year's Dragon Twilight 5k for the new personal record. The mark is also within the top 25 in program history. At the NSIC Cross Country Championships, the Brainerd, Minn., native marked a personal best 6k time of 22:32.1. For Kennedy, the time is the ninth-fastest 6k in MSUM cross country history. Kennedy leads a Dragon squad that features three other returning athletes as well as five incoming freshman. 

"Katelyn enters the 2025 season as our top returner and preseason athlete to watch after a strong 2024 season. She posted personal bests in both the 5k and 6k, including a 22:32 at the NSIC Championships, now the ninth-fastest 6k in program history," said Milner of Kennedy. "We're excited to see her build on that momentum and lead the way for our women's squad this season."

The Dragon men garnered 156 points in the initial poll with four first-place votes as well. Augustana narrowly topped the poll with 166 points and the remaining 10 first -place votes. "Our men's team is poised for a strong 2025 campaign," said Milner, who enters his ninth season at the helm in 2025. "With most of our 2024 roster returning and Jared Gregoire set to rejoin the lineup this fall, we're also welcoming a talented group of freshmen and transfers ready to compete for spots in our top seven."

Hoechst garners the 'athlete to watch' and Preseason Athlete of the Year honors after a 2024 campaign that saw him claim the NSIC Newcomer of the Year award. The Bismarck, N.D., native finished seventh at the NSIC Cross Country Championships with a personal best 8k time of 24:11.8. The performance earned Hoechst All-NSIC First Team honors as well and comes in as the fourth-fastest 8k in program history. Hoechst also secured personal bests in the 10k (31:38) and 6k (18:27.5) during his redshirt freshman season with his 10k mark standing as the 10th-best in MSUM history. The redshirt sophomore is one of 15 returning student-athletes for the Dragons in 2025. Additionally, Milner signed on three freshman and a pair of transfers ahead of the fall season. 

"Chase enters the 2025 season as our preseason athlete to watch after an exceptional debut year that earned him NSIC Newcomer of the Year honors and a First Team All-NSIC selection in cross country," said Milner. "His 8k time of 24:11 ranks fourth in program history, and he followed that with All-NSIC honors in the 10,000m on the track, where ranks in the top ten all-time at MSUM. We're excited to see Chase build on that momentum and race at an even higher level this fall."