WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Loyola Chicago cross country topped the Atlantic 10 Preseason Poll on both the men's and women's side, per the league's announcement on Friday morning. The men received all 14 first-place votes while the women collected 12. 

Last fall, the Rambler men took home the program's third A10 title in four years and the women repeated as conference champions under head coach Gavin Kennedy, who is the 7-time A10 Coach of the Year. 

The 2026 season officially opens today, Friday, Sept 4, as Loyola races at the Lewis Early Bird in Romeoville, Ill. The A10 Championships are set for Oct. 31 in Mechanicsville, Va. 

2026 Atlantic 10 Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll
1. Loyola Chicago - 196 (14)
T-2. George Mason - 157
T-2. La Salle - 157
4. Saint Joseph's - 150
5. Rhode Island - 146
6. George Washington - 126
7. Saint Louis - 113
8. Dayton - 97
9. Richmond - 84
10. Fordham - 76
11. Davidson - 68
12. Duquesne - 56
T-13. St. Bonaventure - 22
T-13. VCU - 22

2026 Atlantic 10 Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll
1. Loyola Chicago - 192 (12)
2. George Washington - 171 (1)
3. Richmond - 163
4. Saint Louis - 154 (1)
5. La Salle - 146
6. George Mason - 124
7. Dayton - 101
8. Davidson - 96
9. Rhode Island - 84
10. Saint Joseph's - 69
11. Duquesne - 66
12. Fordham - 59
13. VCU - 23
14. St. Bonaventure - 22