The Lewis-Clark State College men’s and women’s cross country teams picked up where they left off from a year ago as both were ranked among the top 15 in the nation in the NAIA Cross Country Preseason Polls, which were released on Tuesday.

The men’s squad is ranked No. 12 in the coaches’ poll with 254 points, just 11 points out of being in the top 10. Last season, the Warriors were ranked No. 14 in the final poll. The Warriors are the highest ranked team in the Pacific Northwest with only Concordia University of Oregon also cracking the Top 25 at No. 22.

The women’s team is tied for No. 14 with Northwestern College of Iowa with 194 points, and just one point behind Easter Oregon University, which is ranked No. 13. College of Idaho, also a Region I foe, is ranked No. 11. Last season, the Warriors finished the year ranked No. 21 in the poll.

Both LCSC squads are the defending Region I and Frontier Conference champions.

The two Warrior teams kick off the season on Sept. 6 at the Whitman College Invitational in Walla Walla, Wash.