MAC Announces 2026 Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Preseason Coaches’ Poll
8/27/2026 11:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
CLEVELAND – The Mid-American Conference has released its 2026 Men's and Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the league on Thursday, Aug. 27. The women's cross country team was picked second with 101 points while the men's team was picked fourth with 53 points.
Toledo was picked first in both the women's and men's polls. The Toledo women's cross country team tallied 121 points and received 11 first-place votes. On the men's side, the Rockets received 81 points and nine first-place votes.
2026 MAC Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll
(First Place Votes)
1. Toledo – 121 points (11)
2. Ohio – 101 points
3. Western Michigan – 87 points (1)
4. Bowling Green – 80 points
5. Central Michigan – 78 points
6. Miami – 75 points
7. UMass – 74 points
8. Akron – 57 points
9. Eastern Michigan – 48 points
10. Ball State – 34 points
11. Buffalo – 26 points
12. Kent State – 11 points
2026 MAC Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll
(First Place Votes)
1. Toledo – 81 points (9)
2. Miami – 72 points (1)
3. Akron – 60 points
4. Ohio – 53 points
5. Eastern Michigan – 50 points
T-6. UMass – 39 points
T-6. Buffalo – 39 points
8. Central Michigan – 30 points
9. Kent State – 16 points
10. Bowling Green – 9 points
The Ohio cross country programs are set to kick off the 2026 season at the Mel Brodt Collegiate Open on Friday, Sept. 4.
#OUohyeah
Toledo was picked first in both the women's and men's polls. The Toledo women's cross country team tallied 121 points and received 11 first-place votes. On the men's side, the Rockets received 81 points and nine first-place votes.
2026 MAC Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll
(First Place Votes)
1. Toledo – 121 points (11)
2. Ohio – 101 points
3. Western Michigan – 87 points (1)
4. Bowling Green – 80 points
5. Central Michigan – 78 points
6. Miami – 75 points
7. UMass – 74 points
8. Akron – 57 points
9. Eastern Michigan – 48 points
10. Ball State – 34 points
11. Buffalo – 26 points
12. Kent State – 11 points
2026 MAC Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll
(First Place Votes)
1. Toledo – 81 points (9)
2. Miami – 72 points (1)
3. Akron – 60 points
4. Ohio – 53 points
5. Eastern Michigan – 50 points
T-6. UMass – 39 points
T-6. Buffalo – 39 points
8. Central Michigan – 30 points
9. Kent State – 16 points
10. Bowling Green – 9 points
The Ohio cross country programs are set to kick off the 2026 season at the Mel Brodt Collegiate Open on Friday, Sept. 4.
#OUohyeah
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