PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Keene State College women’s cross country team was named the favorite to win the Little East Conference (LEC) championship by the league’s head coaches, racking up 64 points while claiming each of a possible eight first-place votes.
 
The three-time defending LEC champion Owls return three of their top-seven finishers from last year’s conference meet in Maggie St. John (second, 18:44.80), 2024 LEC Rookie of the Year Kallie Warner (fifth, 19:00.20) and Ava Fortin (18th, 19:52.80). Keene State is additionally ranked eighth in the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association’s Preseason East Region Ranking; the Owls are the only LEC program in the top-10.
 
Eastern Connecticut State University was picked to finish second in the LEC this season with 51 points, while UMass Dartmouth and Plymouth State University tied for third with 45 points each. The complete 2025 LEC Men’s Cross Country Preseason Coaches’ Poll is as follows.

Institution - Points (First Place Votes)
1. Keene State - 64 (8)
2. Eastern Connecticut - 51
T3. Plymouth State - 45 (1)
T3. UMass Dartmouth - 45
5. Rhode Island College - 36
6. Southern Maine - 34
7. UMass Boston - 23
8. Western Connecticut - 18
9. Vermont State Castleton - 8
 
NOTE: Head coaches are not permitted to vote for their own team.