The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced on Tuesday, August 24 the preseason regional cross country rankings in Division II. The Fort Hays State men's team checked in at No. 3 in the South Central region, behind Tarleton State from the Lone Star Conference and MIAA foe Pittsburg State. Other MIAA teams ranked in the region to start the season were No. 4 Missouri Southern, No. 6 Emporia State, and No. 7 Central Missouri. The regional rankings are a reflection of a team's strengths entering the year based on returning and new runners on each squad. 

The Tigers held their Open Range Festival on Wednesday, August 18. The annual race is an 8.4 mile time-trial the team does during the first week of practice. Leading the way was junior Jared Shillington in a time of 44:36. His time was the second fastest in course history. Junior Tanner Christensen came across second at 45:57, the sixth fastest time ran on the course. The other top runners for the Tigers were senior Cameron Rieth, freshman Jovanny Mercado and sophomore Daniel Simon. 

The Tigers have one more race before beginning the regular season as they host the FHSU Alumni Run on Saturday, September 4 in Hays. The first varsity race of the season will be the Colorado College Invitational in Colorado Springs, Colo. on Saturday, September 18.