MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State men's cross country begins its 2025 campaign at the Augustana Twilight on Friday, September 5 at 9 p.m. CT. The 4-mile race takes place under the lights at Yankton Trail Park, and the event attracted 75 high schools and 35 collegiate programs last fall, including five Division I schools, nine Division II schools, six Division III schools, 11 NAIA schools and four NJCAA schools.
 
All ten teams from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference were represented in one of the largest races in the region in 2024.
 
The Mavericks, picked to finish fourth in the 2025 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll returned 12 runners from last season, including graduate student Jacob Bennett (Shakopee, Minn.), who makes his return to the track after a year absence. Bennett competed in five meets in 2023 and placed 62^nd at the Augie Twilight as a junior, culminating in a 41^st place mark at the NSIC Championships.
 
Senior Leif Larsen (Williston, N.D.) will also be looked to as a leader after he placed 64^th at the Augie Twilight last season and 89^th at the NSIC Championships.
 
Head coach Ben Held (seventh season) brought in nine freshmen this season to round out a young squad. The Mavericks placed sixth at the NSIC Championships in Minot, N.D. last fall and placed 21^st at NCAA Regionals.