SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Summit League released the Preseason Coaches' Poll on Wednesday, with North Dakota's women selected second and the Fighting Hawk men chosen fourth. Along with the Preseason Poll, Jadyn Keeler, Matej Hrebacka, Shane Zierden and Julia Matthews were named Athletes to Watch in the Summit League this season.

Keeler, the 2025 Summit League Women's Indoor Track Athlete of the Year, was a Second Team All-American at the NCAA Championships and finished 10th in the 5,000 meters with a time of 15:31.63 last season. By competing at the meet, she became the first individual to run in a track event at the indoor national meet in UND's Division I history. She qualified for the national meet with a time of 15:28.29 in the 5,000 meters at the David Hemery Invitational and was the fifth collegiate runner to cross the finish line, obliterating her previous school record time of 15:57.19, which she set on that same track in December 2024.

The Barrie, Ontario, native was a triple crown winner and posted three All-Summit League performances at the 2025 indoor conference meet. She was victorious in the mile (4:45.90), 3,000 meters (9:21.78) and 5,000 meters (16:20.88). With her 5,000-meter time, she shattered the Summit League Championships record time of 16:25.16, set by Jennie Baragar-Petrash of North Dakota State in 2021. At the conclusion of the meet, Keeler was named the Track Championship M.V.P.

During the regular season, Keeler registered new school records in the mile (4:44.03), 3,000 meters (9:21.78) and 5,000 meters (16:20.88). She was named the Kwik Star Summit League Women's Peak Performer of the Month for her performances in February and was the Kwik Star Women's Track Peak Performer of the Week thrice.

Hrebacka earned two spots on the All-Summit League Team and placed second in the 5,000 meters (14:09.77) and third in the 3,000 meters (8:12.12) at the 2025 Summit League Championships. His time in the 5,000 meters at the conference meet was good for No. 2 in UND history. He also set the 3,000-meter school record with a time of 8:03.05 at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational and ran a season-best mile of 4:08.13 at the UND Open, which was good for the No. 3 time at program history. During the regular season, he won the mile title at the UND Open and 3,000m crown at the Jim Emmerich Invitational.

Zierden was projected to take 10th in the long jump going into the 2025 Summit League Championships and earned the silver medal and All-Summit League honors with a PR leap of 23-7 1/4 (7.19m). His mark moved him up to No. 4 in the long jump in UND history. He also recorded the No. 2 leap in school history with a mark of 48-9 (14.86m) at the UND Open and won the title at that meet earlier in the season.

Matthews  placed seventh in the shot put (45-7, 13.80m) and eighth in the weight throw (57-2 1/4, 17.43m) at the 2025 Summit League Championships. Her throw in the shot put at the conference meet was a PR. She also recorded a personal-best toss of 59-9 3/4 (18.23m) in the weight throw at the Dakota Alumni Classic at the beginning of the season.

North Dakota will open its season this weekend, competing at the SDSU Holiday Open in Brookings on Friday and at both the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener and Early Bird at new balance in Boston on Saturday.

2025-26 Summit League Indoor Track and Field Women's Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. North Dakota State – 47 (5 first-place votes)
2. North Dakota – 41 (2)
3t. South Dakota State – 36 (1)
3t. South Dakota – 36
5. St. Thomas – 25
6t. Oral Roberts – 14
6t. Kansas City – 14
8. Omaha – 11

2025-26 Summit League Indoor Track and Field Men's Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. North Dakota State – 35 (5 first-place votes)
2. South Dakota State – 32 (2)
3. South Dakota – 26
4. North Dakota – 19
5. St. Thomas – 14
6. Oral Roberts – 11
7. Kansas City – 10

For more information on North Dakota track & field, visit FightingHawks.com or follow on social media @UNDtrackfieldXC.