WASHINGTON –- The Loyola Chicago Ramblers were voted the Atlantic 10 Conference Men’s Cross Country preseason favorites, the league announced on Wednesday. The preseason poll was voted on by the 14 league coaches.
Loyola Chicago was a near unanimous favorite and received 13 first place votes. The Ramblers are seeking their third title in four seasons and first since they won back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023. Last season, the Ramblers placed second at the A-10 Men’s Cross Country Championship.
La Salle were second in the preseason poll and received 184 points. The Explorers had two runners finish in the top 20 last year including Matt Hill. Hill placed in 18th in a time of 24:34.9.
George Mason garnered 182 points and was slated in third. The Patriots return Tarek Benlamkaddem, who earned the 2024 Most Outstanding Rookie award. Benlamkaddem placed 17th and clocked in at 24:31.2.
George Washington received the last first place vote. The Revolutionaries had 167 points and were slated fourth in the poll. GW had two runners who placed in the top 15 at last year’s championship that return this season. Michael Bohlke and Jacob Heredia placed eighth and 12th last year, respectively.
Saint Louis had 138 points, Saint Joseph’s garnered 137 and Rhode Island tallied 116 for fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively, in the poll. Fordham had 107 points and are predicted eighth. Richmond and Duquesne each had 102 points to tie for ninth.
Dayton, Davidson, VCU and St Bonaventure round out the men’s cross country preseason poll.
The men’s cross country season kicks off on Friday, August 29th. The A-10 Men’s Cross Country Championship is slated for November 1 at the Elvin R. King Cross Country Course in Cedarville, Ohio and hosted by Dayton.
Below are the full results of the men’s cross country preseason poll. First place votes are in parentheses.
Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll
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Loyola Chicago (13) - 208
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La Salle - 184
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George Mason - 182
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George Washington (1) - 167
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Saint Louis - 138
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Saint Joseph's - 137
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Rhode Island - 116
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Fordham - 107
T9. Richmond - 102
T9. Duquesne - 102
11. Dayton - 77
12. Davidson - 72
13. VCU - 39
14. St. Bonaventure - 35