WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The Mountain East Conference released its 2025 women's cross country preseason poll on Thursday, with the West Liberty University Hilltoppers picked seventh by the league's head coaches.

The Hilltoppers earned 48 points in the poll, placing just one point behind Point Park (49) for sixth place. Charleston was tabbed as the preseason favorite with 98 points and eight of 11 first-place votes, followed by defending champion Davis & Elkins (90 points, three first-place votes).

For the Hilltoppers, the 2025 season offers both challenges and opportunities. With interim head coach Michael Guinn II at the helm, West Liberty is aiming to develop consistency throughout the fall while circling October's MEC Championships at Oglebay Resort — just minutes from campus — as a chance to make a statement on home soil.

Davis & Elkins won last year's MEC Championship to snap Charleston's four-year title streak, then went on to capture the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region title and place 28th at the NCAA Championships. Charleston finished fourth in the region.

Behind UC and D&E in this year's preseason poll, West Virginia Wesleyan was third with 85 points, followed by Concord (73) and Frostburg State (59). Rounding out the poll were West Liberty (48), Fairmont State (43), Glenville State (30), Wheeling (20), and West Virginia State (10).

The Hilltoppers open the 2025 season on Thursday, Sept. 4.

 

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