LOCK HAVEN, Pa. -- After winning the program's first-ever PSAC Championship in 2025, the East Stroudsburg University women's cross country team was picked to finish atop the standings in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Preseason Poll, released Wednesday afternoon. 

ESU received 12 of the 17 possible first-place votes to earn the top spot in the poll. Edinboro earned three first-place votes, while Bloomsburg and West Chester each received one. The Warriors return all of their top runners and welcome seven newcomers to their squad this season.

The Warriors earned five All-PSAC finishes at the 2025 PSAC Championships and two All-Region honors at the NCAA Atlantic Regional. The second-place finish at regionals marked the team's best in program history, while they also competed at nationals for the second consecutive year and third time overall. 

The Warriors will open the 2026 season at the WSSU Rams Atlantic Preview hosted by Winston-Salem on Friday, Sept. 25. 

2026 PSAC Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll (# of first place votes in parentheses)   

1. East Stroudsburg (12) 
2. Edinboro (3) 
3. Bloomsburg (1) 
4. West Chester (1) 
5. Shippensburg 
6. Kutztown 
7. Slippery Rock 
8. Millersville 
9. Gannon 
10. Clarion 
11. Lock Haven 
12. California (Pa.) 
13. Indiana (Pa.) 
14. Pitt-Johnstown 
15. Mansfield 
16. Seton Hill 
17. Shepherd