PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Defending Little East Conference (LEC) champion Plymouth State has been selected as the preseason favorite in the 2026 LEC Women’s Cross Country Preseason Coaches’ Poll, earning 63 points and seven first-place votes.
With defending LEC champion Plymouth State leading the preseason poll and 2025 runner-up Keene State just five points behind, the 2026 LEC women’s cross country season is set to feature another competitive race for the conference title.
2026 LEC Women’s Cross Country Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Institution – Points (First-Place Votes)
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Plymouth State – 63 (7)
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Keene State – 58 (2)
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UMass Dartmouth – 45
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Southern Maine – 42
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Eastern Connecticut – 35
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UMass Boston – 34
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Rhode Island College – 21
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Vermont State Castleton – 14
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Western Connecticut – 12
NOTE: Head coaches are not permitted to vote for their own team.
Defending Champion Plymouth State Tabbed as Team to Beat
Plymouth State enters the 2026 season as the LEC preseason favorite after capturing the 2025 conference championship and finishing 10th at the NCAA Regional Championship. The Panthers return their entire top five from last season as they look to defend their conference title and continue developing an experienced group.
Rose Karow, Emma Talon, Madison Geddies, Mia Sweeney and Abby Bergeron all return from last year’s championship squad, with the Panthers not losing anyone from their top five. Plymouth State also welcomes newcomer Maya Sanzone as the Panthers look to build on last season’s success.
Keene State Close Behind
Keene State was selected second with 58 points and two first-place votes after finishing second at the 2025 LEC Championship and 11th out of 33 teams at the NCAA Regional Championship. The Owls enter the season looking to compete at the top of the conference while making a push for a top-10 finish in the Northeast Region.
Junior Kallie Warner headlines a strong returning group after placing seventh at the LEC Cross Country Championship and winning the LEC outdoor 10,000-meter title. Ava Fortin, Maya Wedge, Helena Papadopoulos, Ellie Tighe, Rita Cummings and Tessa Tanner also return, while freshmen Summer Bentley and Hannah Duva join the program. Keene State will look to replace four-time LEC cross country runner-up Maggie St. John, along with Alana Perry, Sarah O’Connell and Sammi Taylor.
UMass Dartmouth Selected Third
UMass Dartmouth earned 45 points to place third after finishing third at the 2025 LEC Championship and 13th at the NCAA Regional Championship. The Corsairs return an experienced group as they look to improve upon last season’s finishes.
Sarah Lynch leads the returners with a 23:18 6K time, while Sophie Owen owns a 23:32 6K mark. Ashlyn Byrnes, Alexah Pedder and Natalya Lavita also return for the Corsairs. UMass Dartmouth adds Mary Kudarauskas, Ava Brunswick and Ana Machado to the roster, with Brunswick entering with a 19:06 5K time.
Southern Maine Selected Fourth
Southern Maine was selected fourth with 42 points after finishing fourth at the LEC Championship and 16th at the NCAA Regional Championship last season. The Huskies enter 2026 with a new-look roster featuring a combination of experienced returners and newcomers.
Julia Szewc, Aeryn Babson and Rohen Brown headline the returning group after placing 26th, 27th and 37th, respectively, last season. The Huskies add Ava Collamore, Ryley Hubert and Lana DiRusso as newcomers while looking to replace AnnMarie Limberger, Lucy Depolito, Anabel Melanson and Alexis Karantza.
Eastern Connecticut Selected Fifth
Eastern Connecticut earned 35 points to place fifth after finishing fifth at the 2025 LEC Championship. Senior Isabel Cintron headlines the Warriors’ returning group after earning Second Team All-LEC honors last season.
The Warriors welcome freshman Noelia Diaz as part of a newcomer class that will look to make an immediate impact. Eastern Connecticut will look to replace Meghan Georgescu as it enters the season with a mix of returning experience and new talent.
UMass Boston Rounds Out Projected Tournament Field
UMass Boston was selected sixth with 34 points after finishing sixth at last season’s LEC Championship. Molly Hilditch returns for a Beacons team that will feature several newcomers in 2026.
Anatalya Graham headlines the newcomer group with a 19:17 5K time, while Drewanne Sherman, Jayden LaPlant and Audrey Connolly also join the program. The Beacons will look to replace All-LEC and All-Region performer Shea Roche along with Jackie Earner as they continue to build their program.
Rhode Island College, Castleton and Western Connecticut Complete Poll
Rhode Island College was selected seventh with 21 points. Morgan Gonsalves returns after finishing among the top 30 at the LEC Championship as a freshman, while Grace Lane and Kathryn Patalano also return for the Anchorwomen. RIC welcomes Rhode Island All-Class/All-Division selections Kristen Fountaine and Chelsea Demers, who own personal-best cross country times of 19:08 and 21:32, respectively. The Anchorwomen will look to replace NCAA qualifier and multiple-time LEC champion Haley Oliver.
Vermont State Castleton earned 14 points to place eighth. Sophomores Tori Behrendt and Ari Reynolds return after finishing 66th and 69th at the 2025 LEC Championship, respectively, while graduate student Karsyn Bellomo joins the roster. The Spartans will look to score as a team throughout the season as they begin the rebuilding process.
Western Connecticut rounds out the poll in ninth with 12 points. Sophomores Vienna Brocco and Katelyn Zaloski return alongside junior Marisol Tapia, while newcomer Mia Montero joins the program. The Wolves enter the 2026 season looking to continue building a competitive culture within the program.