Marauders picked eighth in PSAC Cross Countrty Preseason Poll
8/19/2026 2:30:00 PM | Women's Cross Country
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - The cross country coaches of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference have released their 2026 preseason poll, placing Millersville eighth among the 17 teams in the conference.
Eighth is just where the Marauders placed in 2025, running behind All-PSAC finishes from Bri Pollock and Kira Chebishev. With both runners returning in 2026 there is hope for an improved finish. The top four spots in the preseason poll were identical to the 2025 championship race with East Stroudsburg holding the top spot with 12 first place votes, Edinboro in second with three first place votes and Bloomsburg and West Chester each receiving one first place vote.
In addition to Pollock and Chebishrev, Millersville returns six other runners who competed at the PSAC Championships. Millersville has finished in the top eight in three consecutive seasons. Pollock is one of 12 Marauders since 1985 with two All-PSAC finishes and she is looking to become the ninth Marauder ever with three. Chebishev was the first Millersville freshman since Shannon Cruz in 2013 to finish in the top 20.
Millersville's season begins on Sept. 5 at the Dutchmen Invitational in Lebanon, Pa.
2026 PSAC Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll (# of first-place votes in parentheses)
1. East Stroudsburg (12)
2. Edinboro (3)
3. Bloomsburg (1)
4. West Chester (1)
5. Shippensburg
6. Kutztown
7. Slippery Rock
8. Millersville
9. Gannon
10. Clarion
11. Lock Haven
12. California
13. IUP
14. Pitt-Johnstown
15. Mansfield
16. Seton Hill
17. Shepherd
Eighth is just where the Marauders placed in 2025, running behind All-PSAC finishes from Bri Pollock and Kira Chebishev. With both runners returning in 2026 there is hope for an improved finish. The top four spots in the preseason poll were identical to the 2025 championship race with East Stroudsburg holding the top spot with 12 first place votes, Edinboro in second with three first place votes and Bloomsburg and West Chester each receiving one first place vote.
In addition to Pollock and Chebishrev, Millersville returns six other runners who competed at the PSAC Championships. Millersville has finished in the top eight in three consecutive seasons. Pollock is one of 12 Marauders since 1985 with two All-PSAC finishes and she is looking to become the ninth Marauder ever with three. Chebishev was the first Millersville freshman since Shannon Cruz in 2013 to finish in the top 20.
Millersville's season begins on Sept. 5 at the Dutchmen Invitational in Lebanon, Pa.
2026 PSAC Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll (# of first-place votes in parentheses)
1. East Stroudsburg (12)
2. Edinboro (3)
3. Bloomsburg (1)
4. West Chester (1)
5. Shippensburg
6. Kutztown
7. Slippery Rock
8. Millersville
9. Gannon
10. Clarion
11. Lock Haven
12. California
13. IUP
14. Pitt-Johnstown
15. Mansfield
16. Seton Hill
17. Shepherd
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
Thursday, November 07
Saturday, August 31
Saturday, November 05
Saturday, September 03
