INDIANAPOLIS – Lewis was voted in the preseason coaches’ poll as the unanimous top choice to win the 2026 Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) women’s cross country title presented by Primo Designs, the conference office announced on Tuesday.
The preseason poll is selected by the league’s head coaches, who, per GLVC Bylaws, are not permitted to vote for their own team.
No. 1 Lewis
- Received 13 first-place votes and 169 total points.
- Won their fourth consecutive conference championship at GLVC Championship last year, seventh overall.
- Finished 14th at NCAA Division II Championships.
- Head coach James Kearney enters his 16th season with the team, having led the team to six NCAA DII Championship meet appearances.
No. 2 Southwest Baptist
- Received the other first-place vote and 152 total points.
- Finished second at 2025 GLVC Championship and seventh at NCAA DII Regionals.
- Head coach Corey McElhaney enters his 19th season.
No. 3 Maryville
- Received 129 total points.
- Finished fourth at 2025 GLVC Championship and 12th at NCAA DII Regionals.
- Head coach Charles Pruitt enters his third season with the team.
No. 4 Illinois Springfield
- Received 126 total points.
- Finished third at 2025 GLVC Championship.
- Head coach Emmons King enters his fifth season with the program.
2026 GLVC WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON POLL
| Place |
School |
Points (first-place votes) |
| 1. |
Lewis |
169 (13) |
| 2. |
Southwest Baptist |
152 (1) |
| 3. |
Maryville |
129 |
| 4. |
Illinois Springfield |
126 |
| 5. |
Drury |
125 |
| 6. |
Truman State |
117 |
| 7. |
Indianapolis |
98 |
| 8. |
Rockhurst |
82 |
| 9. |
Missouri S&T |
77 |
| 10. |
Quincy |
60 |
| 11. |
Lincoln |
52 |
| 12. |
Missouri – St. Louis |
37 |
| 13. |
McKendree |
33 |
| 14. |
Upper Iowa |
17 |
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