BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — The University of Charleston women's cross country team is the Mountain East Conference preseason favorite, the league announced Thursday. The Golden Eagles received eight of 11 possible first-place votes from conference head coaches. 
 

Davis and Elkins, the defending champion, received three first-place votes and finished second in the MEC preseason poll. 
 

A year ago, UC had its four-year run as the MEC team champion ended by Davis & Elkins. The Senators also captured the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region title, and then finished 28th at the NCAA Championships. Charleston finished fourth in the region. 
 

After UC (98 points) and Davis & Elkins (90 points) atop the preseason poll, West Virginia Wesleyan is third with 85 points. Concord (73 points) and Frostburg State (59) round out the top five. 
 

The rest of the poll has Point Park at sixth, followed by West Liberty, Fairmont State, Glenville State, Wheeling, and West Virginia State. 
 

The 2025 MEC women's cross country season is set to begin Thursday, Sept. 4. The 2025 MEC Championships will be held Saturday, Oct. 25, on the Crispin Golf Course at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, West Virginia.

 
2025 MEC Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll
1. Charleston (8) — 98
2. Davis & Elkins (3) — 90
3. West Virginia Wesleyan — 85
4. Concord — 73
5. Frostburg State — 59
6. Point Park — 49
7. West Liberty — 48
8. Fairmont State — 43
9. Glenville State — 30
10. Wheeling — 20
11. West Virginia State — 10
* Coaches not permitted to vote for own team
( ) First-place votes