SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) revealed its preseason poll in men's cross country Friday morning, and the Yellowjackets were predicted to claim their ninth overall championship and sixth in as many years during the 2026 campaign.
 
Among the poll voted on by conference head coaches, the 'Jackets took three-of-seven first place votes with 31 points. Crown came in second with two first-place nods, while Northwestern and Martin Luther tied for third and split the final first-place votes.
 
Leading the charge for the Yellowjackets are seniors Dylan Uitto (Ashland, Wis./Ashland) and Ben Plackner (Bovey, Minn./Greenway), alongside junior Maverick Hoogland (Catawba, Wis./Phillips). Uitto, last year's medalist, took home the individual crown with a time of 26:18.1. Plackner came behind him with a 26:32.1 before Hoogland was the team's third finisher, crossing the line in 27:02.5.
 
In 2025, the Yellowjackets were one point shy of a perfect 15, scoring a 16 in the championship race.
 
Bethany Lutheran, Minnesota Morris, and North Central rounded out the league with 15, 12 and six points, respectively.
 
The Yellowjackets begin the new season at the Cougar Twilight, scheduled for Friday, Sept. 11 at Pomme De Terre Golf Club in Morris, Minn.