Photo by: Jim Fritz
Pioneers are Selected Fourth in the Preseason Coaches' Poll
8/25/2026 10:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University women's cross-country team was selected fourth in the 2026 Metro Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the conference Tuesday morning.
Quinnipiac claimed the top spot in the poll with 167 points and 11 first-place votes. Iona followed in second with 156 total points and the remaining two first-place votes, while Marist rounded out the top three with 132 points.
Sacred Heart followed closely behind Marist, earning the fourth spot with 131 points. Rider was selected fifth with 107 points, followed by Merrimack in sixth with 104 points and Fairfield in seventh with 103 points.
The next three spots were separated by just three points. Manhattan placed eighth with 64 points, Siena followed in ninth with 63 points, and Mount St. Mary's rounded out the top 10 with 62 points.
Niagara was selected 11th with 40 points, followed by Canisius with 39 points and Saint Peter's with 15 points.
Women's Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Quinnipiac 167 (11)
2. Iona 156 (2)
3. Marist 132
4. Sacred Heart 131
5. Rider 107
6. Merrimack 104
7. Fairfield 103
8. Manhattan 64
9. Siena 63
10. Mount St. Mary's 62
11. Niagara 40
12. Canisius 39
13. Saint Peter's 15
Quinnipiac claimed the top spot in the poll with 167 points and 11 first-place votes. Iona followed in second with 156 total points and the remaining two first-place votes, while Marist rounded out the top three with 132 points.
Sacred Heart followed closely behind Marist, earning the fourth spot with 131 points. Rider was selected fifth with 107 points, followed by Merrimack in sixth with 104 points and Fairfield in seventh with 103 points.
The next three spots were separated by just three points. Manhattan placed eighth with 64 points, Siena followed in ninth with 63 points, and Mount St. Mary's rounded out the top 10 with 62 points.
Niagara was selected 11th with 40 points, followed by Canisius with 39 points and Saint Peter's with 15 points.
Women's Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Quinnipiac 167 (11)
2. Iona 156 (2)
3. Marist 132
4. Sacred Heart 131
5. Rider 107
6. Merrimack 104
7. Fairfield 103
8. Manhattan 64
9. Siena 63
10. Mount St. Mary's 62
11. Niagara 40
12. Canisius 39
13. Saint Peter's 15
Wednesday, September 24
Tuesday, April 16
Friday, March 08
Friday, February 23
