NEW YORK | Following the most successful season in program history, Sarah Lawrence enters the 2026 campaign with its sights set on another Skyline Conference title. However, the league's head coaches have tabbed United States Merchant Marine Academy as the preseason favorite, awarding the Mariners 90 points and six first-place votes in the 2026 Skyline Conference Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll. 

Merchant Marine returns after a stellar 2025 season in which the Mariners finished second at the Skyline Championship with 69 points, just eight behind champion Sarah Lawrence. Freshman Eleanor Romeo captured the individual Skyline title and was named Runner of the Year, while fellow freshman Lili Telvi earned Rookie of the Year honors as the Mariners placed two runners among the top three finishers.

Despite being picked second in the preseason poll with 88 points and three first-place votes, Sarah Lawrence enters the season as the defending Skyline Conference champion after capturing the first conference championship in program history in 2025. The Gryphons totaled 61 points at the championship meet, placing three runners on the All-Conference First Team, while head coach Tom Diliberto was voted the Skyline Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year.

Farmingdale State was selected third with 78 points, while Maritime received one first-place vote and finished fourth with 68 points. St. Joseph's-Long Island rounded out the top five with 56 points after placing fourth at last year's championship.

The remainder of the preseason poll featured Yeshiva (54 points), Mount Saint Mary (50), Manhattanville University (49 points, one first-place vote), Purchase (29), St. Joseph's-Brooklyn (25), and Old Westbury (18).

The 2026 Skyline Conference Women's Cross Country Championship, hosted by St. Joseph’s - Long Island at the Stony Brook Cross Country Course, is scheduled for October 25th.

Women’s Cross Country Preseason Poll
Rank, School, Points (First-place votes)
1. Merchant Marine, 90 (6)    
2. Sarah Lawrence, 88 (3)    
3. Farmingdale State, 78    
4. Maritime, 68 (1)    
5. St. Joseph's-Long Island, 56    
6. Yeshiva, 54    
7. Mount Saint Mary, 50    
8. Manhattanville, 49 (1)    
9. Purchase, 29    
10. St. Joseph's-Brooklyn, 25    
11. Old Westbury,18