WASHINGTON -- Loyola Chicago is the preseason favorite and predicted to win its fifth consecutive Atlantic 10 Conference Women’s Cross Country Championship, the league announced on Friday. The preseason poll was voted on by the 14 conference coaches.

Loyola Chicago was a near unanimous favorite, the Ramblers garnering 12 first-place votes and 192 points. Since Loyola Chicago joined the A-10, the Ramblers have won four consecutive championship titles. They had three runners place in the top seven at last year’s championship meet.
 
George Washington and Saint Louis were the other programs to receive first-place votes, with the Revolutionaries placing second at 171 voting points and the Billikens in fourth with 154. George Washington had four runners place in the top 12 at the 2025 Championship while Saint Louis sported two top-20 finishers.
 
Richmond placed third with 163 votes and returns Hallie Muniz, who placed sixth in last year’s Championship. La Salle closes out the top five after having two top-10 runners in 2025.
 
George Mason comes in sixth with 124 votes and will look to replace last year’s first-place finisher in Ella Semple. Dayton (101), Davidson (96), Rhode Island (84), and Saint Joseph’s (69) round out the top ten while Duquesne (66), Fordham (59), VCU (23), and St. Bonaventure (22) close out the rankings.
 
The women’s cross-country season begins Friday, September 4. The A-10 Women’s Cross Championship is set for Saturday, October 31 at Pole Green Park in Mechanicsville, Virginia and will be hosted by Richmond.

Below is the complete preseason poll. First place votes are in parentheses.
 
Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll 
1. Loyola Chicago - 192 (12)
2. George Washington - 171 (1)
3. Richmond - 163
4. Saint Louis - 154 (1)
5. La Salle - 146
6. George Mason - 124
7. Dayton - 101
8. Davidson - 96
9. Rhode Island - 84
10. Saint Joseph’s - 69
11. Duquesne - 66
12. Fordham - 59
13. VCU - 23