Cross Country

UMass Lowell Selected to Repeat Once Again in Men’s #AEXC Preseason Poll

BOSTON – UMass Lowell won its sixth straight conference title in 2025 and this year was picked first in the 2026 America East Men’s Cross Country Preseason Poll, as announced by the league on Wednesday.
 
The River Hawks took home the 2025 title with 24 points by placing five runners in the top-10, including each of the top three spots. UMass Lowell was a unanimous selection to repeat with all eight possible first place votes and 64 points overall.
 
Binghamton was selected second in the poll with 54 points and the final first place vote after finishing as runner-up in 2025 and taking third in 2024. UMBC was third with 49 points, while Maine was close behind in fourth with 47. Vermont placed fifth with 33 points.
 
2026 Men’s #AEXC Preseason Poll
School Pts (1st)
1. UMass Lowell 64 (8)
2. Binghamton 54 (1)
3. UMBC 49
4. Maine 47
5. Vermont 33
6. NJIT 24
T7. New Hampshire 22
T7. Bryant 22
9. UAlbany 9
 
The 2026 season begins on Friday, Sept. 4 with Bryant, UMBC, Maine and NJIT all in action, highlighted by a home meet for the Black Bears. On Sept. 5, UAlbany, Binghamton, New Hampshire, UMass Lowell and Vermont all compete.
 
This year’s cross country championship will take place on Friday, October 30 on the campus of UAlbany in Albany, N.Y. The championship will be broadcast live once again in 2026.
 
ABOUT AMERICA EAST
Founded in 1979, the America East Conference is an elite NCAA Division I athletic conference that fosters an environment for student-athletes to become champions. Comprised of academically renowned, like-minded member institutions located in the Northeast region of the United States, America East is committed to broad-based excellence and progressive in its approach to supporting its more than 3,500 student-athletes across 18 sponsored sports. For more information, visit www.AmericaEast.com and follow the America East Conference its social media channels, @AmericaEast. 
 
- America East Conference – Where Champions Rise -