PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Keene State College women’s cross country team was predicted to win its third consecutive Little East Conference (LEC) championship, according to the results of the 2024 LEC Women’s Cross Country Preseason Coaches’ Poll. The Owls totaled 62 points and received seven first-place votes.
 
Keene State defended its home course to win the 2023 LEC title with a team score of 46 points. The Owls return each of their top-seven performers from a year ago, including a trio of top-10 finishers at least year’s championship in Maggie St. John (second, 19:04.0), Anna O’Reilly (sixth, 19:40.5) and Sarah Ames (seventh, 19:42.0). Aurora Couto (13th, 20:25.0) and Alana Perry (19th, 21:04.3) were top-20 performers for KSC at the 2023 LEC Championship.
 
Eastern Connecticut State University was picked to finish second in the preseason coaches’ poll after totaling 58 points and the two remaining first-place votes. The Warriors placed second at least year’s conference meet with 61 teams points, and will once again be led by top-10 finishers Meghan Georgescu (fourth, 19:19.5) and Alison LeClerc (ninth, 19:48.3).
 
The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, which will host this year’s LEC Championship, was picked third in the poll with 51 points. The Corsairs return one First Team All-LEC performer in Bee Greenberg (fifth, 19:38.7) and a top-20 finisher in Emma Steedman (17th, 20:39.0).
 
The complete LEC preseason ranking is as follows.
 
2024 LEC Women’s Cross Country Preseason Coaches’ Poll
 
Institution - Points (First Place Votes)
1. Keene State - 62 (7)
2. Eastern Connecticut - 58 (2)
3. UMass Dartmouth - 51
4. Plymouth State - 41
5. Southern Maine - 38
6. UMass Boston - 25
7. Rhode Island College - 23
8. Vermont State Castleton - 18
9. Western Connecticut - 8
 
NOTE: Head coaches are not permitted to vote for their own team.