FAIRMONT, W. Va. -- Shawnee State women's cross country was picked to finish seventh in the Mountain East Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll.

The Bears finished as River States Conference runner-ups last season, while Olivia Cisco placed 27th at the NAIA National Championship to earn her first NAIA All-American honor.

The preseason poll results were compiled via a vote of the conference's 11 head coaches.

Davis & Elkins, the reigning Mountain East Conference Champion, has been voted first overall by the league's head coaches in the 2026 Mountain East Conference Preseason Poll.

The Senators finished with seven first place votes in the poll, while Charleston received the other four votes.

After winning the 2025 MEC Women's Cross Country Championship, Davis & Elkins finished their season at the 2025 NCAA Division II Women's Cross Country Championship in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The Senators had a strong showing, earning a 23rd place finish.

Point Park, who had the 2025 MEC Women's Runner of the Year Cassondra O'Connor, earned the third spot in the preseason poll by the league's coaches. 
 

2026 MEC Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll
Rank	School (First Place Votes)	Voting
1.	Davis & Elkins	104 (7)
2.	University of Charleston	101 (4)
3.	Point Park	92
4.	Glenville State	82
5.	Frostburg State	64
6.	West Virginia Wesleyan	62
7.	Shawnee State	57
8.	West Liberty	53
9.	Concord	48
10.	Fairmont State	32
11.	Wheeling	20

 

* Coaches were not permitted to vote for own team

Up Next

Shawnee State women's cross country will open its season Friday, Sept. 4, at the Wildcat Twilight Invitational at Indiana Wesleyan. The meet is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.