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MAC Releases 2026 Preseason Cross Country Coaches’ Poll
8/27/2026 11:00:00 AM | Men's XC, Women's XC
The men were predicted to finish fifth, while the women were slotted in ninth place
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Mid-American Conference released its 2026 Preseason Cross Country Coaches' Poll Thursday, Aug. 27.
The Eastern Michigan University men's team is predicted to finish in fifth place with 50 points. The women have been picked to finish ninth with 48 points.
At the 2025 MAC Championships, Nov. 1, the men finished sixth with 119 points, led by Kian Wiles (Hull, England/St. Mary's College), who earned Second Team All-MAC honors, running the 8k in 23:33.2 for eighth place. The women finished in 10th place with 296 points as Liv Hatch (Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso) led the Eagles with a 6k time of 21:53.4 for 35th place.
2026 MAC Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll
First place votes in ( ) – Coaches were not able to vote for themselves
1. Toledo – 81 points (9)
2. Miami – 72 points (1)
3. Akron – 60 points
4. Ohio – 53 points
5. Eastern Michigan – 50 points
T6. UMass – 39 points
T6. Buffalo – 39 points
8. Central Michigan – 30 points
9. Kent State – 16 points
10. Bowling Green – 9 points
2026 MAC Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll
First place votes in ( ) – Coaches were not able to vote for themselves
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
Up Next
The Eagles begin their season Friday, Sept. 4, at the Jeff Drenth Memorial, hosted by Central Michigan University at Shepherd High School in Shepherd, Mich. The women run at 11 a.m., followed by the men at 11:35 a.m.
Follow Us
For updates on all things EMU cross country/track & field, continue to check EMUEagles.com or follow the team on Instagram, X, and Facebook at @EMUXC_TF
The Eastern Michigan University men's team is predicted to finish in fifth place with 50 points. The women have been picked to finish ninth with 48 points.
At the 2025 MAC Championships, Nov. 1, the men finished sixth with 119 points, led by Kian Wiles (Hull, England/St. Mary's College), who earned Second Team All-MAC honors, running the 8k in 23:33.2 for eighth place. The women finished in 10th place with 296 points as Liv Hatch (Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso) led the Eagles with a 6k time of 21:53.4 for 35th place.
2026 MAC Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll
First place votes in ( ) – Coaches were not able to vote for themselves
1. Toledo – 81 points (9)
2. Miami – 72 points (1)
3. Akron – 60 points
4. Ohio – 53 points
5. Eastern Michigan – 50 points
T6. UMass – 39 points
T6. Buffalo – 39 points
8. Central Michigan – 30 points
9. Kent State – 16 points
10. Bowling Green – 9 points
2026 MAC Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll
First place votes in ( ) – Coaches were not able to vote for themselves
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
Up Next
The Eagles begin their season Friday, Sept. 4, at the Jeff Drenth Memorial, hosted by Central Michigan University at Shepherd High School in Shepherd, Mich. The women run at 11 a.m., followed by the men at 11:35 a.m.
Follow Us
For updates on all things EMU cross country/track & field, continue to check EMUEagles.com or follow the team on Instagram, X, and Facebook at @EMUXC_TF
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