The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) released the results of the 2026 men's and women's cross country preseason polls on Wednesday.
The rankings were determined by a vote of the league head coaches.
In the women's poll, reigning national champion Grand Valley State was selected to claim the program's 25th straight conference title. The Lakers earned the maximum 100 points and 10 first-place votes.
Three top-15 finishers from the 2025 NCAA Championships -- Abby VanderKooi, Lauren Kiley and Allie Arnsman -- return to lead the Lakers.
Northern Michigan, last year's second-place team at the GLIAC Championships, was predicted to again finish second in 2026. The Wildcats accumulated 80 total points. All-GLIAC Second Teamers Ashley Choponis and Lamar Gordon are back for NMU.
Wayne State and Saginaw Valley State were deadlocked for third place, with each squad receiving 79 points.
Michigan Tech (65) completed the top five vote-getters. The Huskies earned the only other first-place vote. Hannah Dupuis, who placed 14th at the GLIAC Championships a year ago, is back.
Ferris State was selected sixth (53) followed in order by Parkside (49), Purdue Northwest (33), Lake Superior State (32), Davenport (19) and Roosevelt (11).
In the men's poll, Grand Valley State was selected as the favorite for the 2026 season, totaling 81 points while garnering nine first-place votes. In 2025, the Lakers captured their 23rd consecutive conference crown, placing seven runners in the top 10.
Saginaw Valley State, the GLIAC runners-up last year, was ranked No. 2, collecting 72 points and one first-place vote.
One point separated third and fourth place, with Michigan Tech (62) polling just ahead of Wayne State (61).
Ferris State was picked fifth (43), narrowly in front of Parkside (6th, 42).
Davenport finished at No. 7 with Purdue Northwest, Lake Superior State and Roosevelt rounding out the men's poll, respectively.
The GLIAC Championships are set for Friday, Nov. 6 and will be hosted by Purdue Northwest in Westville, Ind.
