WASHINGTON, D.C. – The University of Dayton will host the Atlantic 10 Cross Country Championships on November 1 at the Elvin R. King Cross Country Course in Cedarville, Ohio. On Wednesday, the Atlantic 10 released its preseason poll for men's and women's cross country. The women's team was picked to finish seventh, while the men were projected to finish eleventh. All 14 head coaches in the conference vote to determine the poll.
Dayton will open its season on Friday at the RedHawk Rumble, hosted by Miami University. The women return just one senior, Marissa Pritchett, who led the Flyers at last year's A-10 Championships with a 19th-place finish and a personal-best 6k time of 21:19.0. The men's squad features four seniors: Noah Clemens, Noah Locke, Jameson Maynes, and Owen Pukys.
Both teams also bring in strong freshman classes. The men add four newcomers: Alex Bendaña, Tyler Giunipero, Kamden Kramer, and Jacob Reash. The women welcome six: Ashley Alsko, Bailey Gross, Grace Heitkamp, Abigail Jordan, Reese Kohnle, and Addison Stephens.
The 2025 season officially begins Friday, August 29, at the RedHawk Rumble in Oxford, Ohio. The men's 5k is scheduled for 9:15 a.m., followed by the women's 5k at 9:45 a.m.
Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll
1. Loyola Chicago (13)
2. La Salle
3. George Mason
4. George Washington (1)
5. Saint Louis
6. Saint Joseph's
7. Rhode Island
8. Fordham
T9. Richmond
T9. Duquesne
11. Dayton
12. Davidson
13. VCU
14. St. Bonaventure
Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll
1. Loyola Chicago (13)
2. La Salle (1)
3. George Mason
4. Richmond
5. George Washington
6. Duquesne
7. Dayton
8. Saint Louis
9. Rhode Island
10. Davidson
11. Saint Joseph's
12. Fordham
13. VCU
14. St. Bonaventure
