INDIANAPOLIS – Lewis was unanimously voted in the preseason coaches’ poll as the top choice to win the 2026 Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) men’s cross country title presented by Primo Designs, the conference office announced 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 11 first-place votes and 121 total points.
- Won their third consecutive GLVC Championship last year.
- Head coach James Kearney enters his 16th season with the program, having been named 2025 GLVC Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year last year.
- Evan Horgan, senior, returns after placing seventh in the NCAA Championships last year.
No. 2 Missouri S&T
- Received the other first-place vote and 105 total points.
- Placed third in 2025 GLVC Championship, tying program record.
- Earned 15th place at NCAA DII Midwest Regional Championships.
- Head coach Cameron Knudsen enters his second season at the helm.
No. 3 Illinois Springfield
- Received 100 total points.
- Placed second at GLVC Championship last year.
- Finished 10th at NCAA DII Midwest Regional Championships.
- Head coach Emmons King enters his fifth season leading the program.
No. 4 Drury
- Received 94 total points.
- Placed fifth at the 2025 GLVC Championships and eighth at the NCAA DII Midwest Regional Championships.
- Head coach Luke Karamitros enters his third season with the team.
2026 GLVC MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON POLL
| Place |
School |
Points (first-place votes) |
| 1. |
Lewis |
121 (11) |
| 2. |
Missouri S&T |
105 (1) |
| 3. |
Illinois Springfield |
100 |
| 4. |
Drury |
94 |
| 5. |
Indianapolis |
82 |
| 6. |
Southwest Baptist |
68 |
| 7. |
Rockhurst |
63 |
| 8. |
Maryville |
48 |
| 9. |
Truman State |
39 |
| 10. |
Missouri – St. Louis |
32 |
| 11. |
McKendree |
27 |
| 12. |
Quincy |
13 |