Following back-to-back seasons as the River States Conference's runner-up in the women's cross country realm, the Shawnee State women's cross country program is looking to take the next step forward -- and claim the program's first conference title since 2019.

Shawnee State is certainly projected to be a contender for top honors again in 2025, and that was evident in the 2025 RSC Preseason Cross Country Poll, where the Bears finished second by accumulating 90 points and a first place vote to hold second in the 11-team poll, which was released by conference officials Wednesday afternoon.

Outside of Indiana-East, who garnered 99 points and nine first place votes to garner top honors, Shawnee State bested all other comers in the conference, including rival Rio Grande, who nabbed 83 points and a first-place vote to place in third. Midway (71 markers) and Indiana-Kokomo (67 tallies) finished in the top-five overall.

Rounding out the sixth through 10th positions were Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (55), Indiana-Columbus (44), Brescia (38), West Virginia Tech (27) and Oakland City (21). Kentucky Christian, with 10 points, finished off the poll.

Along with bringing back each of its top eight runners -- including RSC Runner-Up and 52nd place national finisher Olivia Cisco as well as Second-Team All-RSC honoree Jessica Elick in addition to Juniper Allen, Natalie Brammer, Kirsten Evans, Beth Middleton, Sydney Reed and Amanda Salmons -- Shawnee State also brings in Whitney Adams, Olivia's younger sister, Hadlee Cisco, sophomore transfer Riley Colestock, Maddison Dietrich, Emma Hurst, Payton McQuirt, and sisters Allison Taylor and Maggie Taylor.

For more information on the Shawnee State women's cross country program, visit https://ssubears.com/sports/womens-cross-country and https://www.instagram.com/shawnee_state_xctf/.