Track & Field

UMass Lowell & UMBC Picked First in 2026 #AETF Outdoor Preseason Polls

BOSTON – Following tight championship victories during the indoor track & field season, the UMass Lowell men and UMBC women were each picked first by a single point in the 2026 #AETF Outdoor Preseason Polls, released on Thursday afternoon.
 
UMBC captured its first-ever women’s indoor track & field title last month over UAlbany 163-143 and in the outdoor preseason poll received four first place votes and 60 total points to just edge the Great Danes. UAlbany finished with four first place votes and 59 total points as they look to win their 17th straight outdoor championship this year. Bryant claimed the remaining first place vote and had 52 total points, while Binghamton placed fourth with 43 points and New Hampshire took fifth with 30 points.
 
UMass Lowell won its third indoor championship last month and secured five first place votes in the outdoor preseason poll for 60 total points. UAlbany took home the remaining three first place votes and had 59 total points to finish right behind the River Hawks. The two programs have each won the outdoor championship twice in the past four years. UMBC placed third with 50 points, while Binghamton was fourth with 45 points and Maine rounded out the top five with 32 points.
 
2026 Men’s Outdoor #AETF Preseason Poll
1. UMass Lowell 60 (5)
2. UAlbany 59 (3)
3. UMBC 50
4. Binghamton 45
5. Maine 32
T6. NJIT 24
T6. New Hampshire 24
8. Bryant 21
9. Vermont 9
 
  
2026 Women’s Outdoor #AETF Preseason Poll
1. UMBC 60 (4)
2. UAlbany 59 (4)
3. Bryant 52 (1)
4. Binghamton 43
5. New Hampshire 30
6. UMass Lowell 26
7. NJIT 24
8. Vermont 18
9. Maine 12
 
 
The 2025-26 outdoor season gets underway in full force this weekend as eight of nine programs compete between Thursday-Sunday.
 
The 2026 #AETF Outdoor Championship will be held Friday, May 9 – Saturday, May 10 at UMass Lowell.  The championship will be streamed on ESPN+ once again.
 
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