FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- Point Park was picked third in the Mountain East Conference Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll, the league office announced on Wednesday.

Point Park finished second overall at the 2025 MEC Women's Cross Country Championships, and the Pioneers will return reigning MEC Champion and MEC Runner of the Year Cassondra O'Connor. O'Connor, who turned in a time of 22:28.64 at last year's championships, earned First Team All-MEC accolades.

In addition to O'Connor, the Pioneers will return two top-30 finishers from last year in sophomores Aubrey Smith, who placed 22nd, and Zabine von Westernhagen who placed 28th.

Reigning MEC Champion Davis & Elkins was picked to finish first, earning seven of the 11 first-place votes. The University of Charleston was picked in second with four first-place votes, with Point Park rounding off the projected podium.

After winning the 2025 MEC Women's Cross Country Championship, Davis & Elkins finished their season at the 2025 NCAA Division II Women's Cross Country Championship in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The Senators had a strong showing, earning a 23rd place finish.  

Glenville State was picked to finish fourth, followed by Frostburg State, West Virginia Wesleyan, MEC-newcomer Shawnee State, West Liberty, Concord, Fairmont State and Wheeling.

The Pioneers open up their 2026 season on Sept. 3 in the West Liberty Invitational in Bethany, W.Va. Point Park will run a 5K at 5 p.m.