FAIRMONT, W.Va. — West Liberty University has been picked to finish sixth in the 2026 Mountain East Conference men's cross country preseason poll, as voted on by the league's 12 head coaches.
The Hilltoppers received 67 points in the preseason voting, placing sixth among the conference's 12 men's cross country programs.
The University of Charleston, the reigning MEC champion, was selected as the preseason favorite after receiving 10 first-place votes and 120 points. Davis & Elkins was picked second with 111 points and two first-place votes, while Concord rounded out the top three with 84 points.
Point Park was fourth with 83 points, followed by Glenville State with 79 and West Liberty with 67.
West Virginia Wesleyan was seventh with 63 points, followed by Shawnee State (62), Frostburg State (48), Fairmont State (41), Wheeling (23) and West Virginia State (11). Charleston finished 24th at the 2025 NCAA Division II Men's Cross Country Championships, while Davis & Elkins placed 30th.
The 2026 MEC men's cross country season is scheduled to begin Thursday, Sept. 3, with West Liberty opening its season by hosting the West Liberty Invitational.
2026 MEC Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll
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Charleston — 120 (10)
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Davis & Elkins — 111 (2)
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Concord — 84
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Point Park — 83
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Glenville State — 79
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West Liberty — 67
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West Virginia Wesleyan — 63
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Shawnee State — 62
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Frostburg State — 48
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Fairmont State — 41
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Wheeling — 23
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West Virginia State — 11
Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own team.
West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at westliberty.edu.
