Women's Cross Country | 8/20/2026 1:00:00 PM
OXFORD, Ohio- The defending River States Conference champions from the University of Rio Grande are the favorites to repeat in women's cross country, as the RedStorm finished atop the 2026 RSC Preseason Coaches' Poll. The poll, announced Thursday by the River States Conference office, saw each of the conference's nine head coaches rank the other member schools in order of predicted finish.
Rio Grande won the 2025 title by six points over departing member Shawnee State. The RedStorm claimed seven of nine first place votes, and bring back two of the top five runners from last season's RSC Championships in Laura Hamm and RSC Newcomer of the Year Brandy Shular. Indiana University East was picked second, claiming the other two first place votes. The Red Wolves also feature two returning First Team All-Conference selections in Emily Fleming and Kayci Hill.
The top five of the coaches poll was rounded out by third place IU Kokomo, with Midway fourth and St. Mary-of-the-Woods placing at the middle of the conference in fifth. The bottom half of the poll continues with IU Columbus and Brescia tied for sixth, WVU Tech eighth, and Kentucky Christian rounding out the poll in ninth.
The River States cross country schedule is scheduled to begin Friday, September 4, with four teams in competition, including three at the IWU Twilight Invitational in Marion, Indiana on the campus of Indiana Wesleyan University.
The season will culminate on one of the biggest stages in American cross country, as the 2026 RSC Cross Country Championships heads to the storied LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in Terre Haute. A champion will be decided on Saturday, November 7 on grounds that have determined national champions at the NCAA Division I level more than a dozen times.
2026 RSC PRESEASON WOMEN's CROSS COUNTRY COACHES' POLL
1. Rio Grande (63 points, 7 first place votes)
2. IU East (58 points, 2 first place votes)
3. IU Kokomo (50 points)
4. Midway (39 points)
5. St. Mary-of-the-Woods (38 points)
t6. Brescia (26 points)
t6. IU Columbus (26 points)
8. WVU Tech (15 points)
9. Kentucky Christian (8 points)