NEW ORLEANS, La. -- The East Stroudsburg University women's cross country team earned No. 24 in the 2026 NCAA DII Women's Cross Country National Coaches' Preseason Poll, released Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).  

In 2025, the Warriors captured the first PSAC Championship in program history, earning five All-PSAC honors and two All-Region selections 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. 

Following a historic 2025 season, the Warriors were selected first in both the PSAC Preseason Poll and the preseason NCAA Division II Women's Cross Country Regional Rankings. Edinboro, Fayetteville State, West Chester, and Point Park round out the top five.  

The Warriors return all of their top runners and welcome seven newcomers to their squad this season. The Warriors will open the 2026 season at the WSSU Rams Atlantic Preview hosted by Winston-Salem on Friday, Sept. 25.