Contact: Greta Norville, Assistant Director of Sport Communications and Marketing, norvilleg@midwestconference.org
NEENAH, Wisconsin – Following a conference championship in the 2025 season, the Grinnell College women’s cross country team has been selected to repeat as Midwest Conference champions in 2026 as the preseason coaches poll was released Monday afternoon.
The Pioneers received seven of 10 first place votes and 75 total points to earn the number one spot in the preseason poll. Cornell College earned two first-place votes and tied Ripon College for second (71 points). Lawrence University placed fourth with 56 points, while Luther College also landed in the top half of the poll (46 points).
Lake Forest College (40 points), Monmouth College (28 points), Beloit College (25 points), Illinois College (21 points) and Knox College (17 points) rounded out the rest of the poll.
The 2026 MWC Cross Country Championships are scheduled for Saturday, October 31, at The Beloit Club in Beloit, Wisconsin. The women’s race is scheduled to start at 11 a.m.
Full 2026 MWC women’s cross country preseason coaches’ poll results are listed below:
2026 MWC Women’s Cross Country Preseason Coaches’ Poll Results
1. Grinnell College (7) - 75 points
T2. Cornell College (3) - 71 points
T2. Ripon College - 71 points
4. Lawrence University - 56 points
5. Luther College - 46 points
6. Lake Forest College - 40 points
7. Monmouth College - 28 points
8. Beloit College - 25 points
9. Illinois College - 21 points
10. Knox College - 17 points
() – indicates first-place votes
* Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams.
Beloit College Buccaneers
Head Coach: Julia Stogsdill (1st Season)
2025 MWC Finish: 7th
All-Conference Returnees: None
Cornell College Rams
Head Coach: Jerry Frawley (6th Season)
2025 MWC Finish: 2nd
All-Conference Returnees: Lidia Dahlman (1st, Jr), Carley Seeley (17th, Jr)
Grinnell College Pioneers
Head Coach: Sarah Burnell (6th Season)
2025 MWC Finish: 1st
All-Conference Returnees: Lizzie Drew (11th, So ) -
2025 MWC Newcomer of the Year, Arushi Kharbanda (15th, So)
Illinois College Blueboys
Head Coach: Anthony Flores (4th Season)
2025 MWC Finish: 8th
All-Conference Returnees: None
Knox College Prairie Fire
Head Coach: Dale Compton (1st Season)
2024 MWC Finish: 9th
All-Conference Returnees: None
Lake Forest College Foresters
Head Coach: Patrick Austin (5th Season)
2025 MWC Finish: 5th
All-Conference Returnees: Lettia Hoda (14th, Sr), Sophie Graham (20th, Sr)
Lawrence University Vikings
Head Coach: Jason Fast (18th Season)
2025 MWC Finish: 4th
All-Conference Returnees: Mila Westra (7th, Jr)
Luther College Norse
Head Coach: Yarrow Pasche (21st Season)
2025 A-R-C Finish: 5th
All-Conference Returnees: None
Monmouth College Fighting Scots
Head Coach: Cooper Pauley (3rd Season)
2025 MWC Finish: 6th
All-Conference Returnees: Paige Luntsford (16th, Jr)
Ripon College Red Hawks
Head Coach: Drew Hoffman (3rd Season)
2025 MWC Finish: 3rd
All-Conference Returnees: Joley Berger (2nd, So), Jenny Cortes (4th, Sr), Gabby Allard (10th, Jr), Mya Garcia (18th, Jr)