The Ohio Northern men's cross country team made its debuted in the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association preseason coaches poll at No. 17 in the country.

The Polar Bears posted their second best finish in school history at the NCAA Championships in 2016 after finishing 14th overall.

Northern returns five letterwinners, all of which are 2016 All-Ohio Athletic Conference honorees.

The Polar Bears open the season Friday, Sept. 1 under the guidance of ninth-year head coach Jason Maus as they compete in the annual Bluffton 5k Invitational.