Kingston, R.I. – Rhode Island was picked to finish fifth in the A10 Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll, released by the league Friday.
The poll, which is compiled from votes by the league's coaches, has Rhode Island sitting just 4 points behind Saint Joseph's who were picked to finish fourth. George Mason and La Salle are tied for second with 157 points each. Loyola Chicago, last year's A10 champion, were unanimously voted first in the poll, collecting 196 points overall.
This is the highest the Rams have been ranked in the preseason poll in over two decades.
The Rams finished third last year in the A10 championships, with a team score of 116 points, their joint-best finish in program history at the championship races. Top team finishers
Nick Martin,
Garrett Hartline, Brayton Gazzero,
Maddox Jordan,
Matt Lucas,
Ryan Kaiser, and
Jesse Principe all return for
Trent Baltzell's team in 2026.
Rhody begins their fall season at the Bryant Nassaney Invitational on Sept. 12 in Smithfield, R.I.
2026 Atlantic 10 Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll
1. Loyola Chicago - 196 (14)
T-2. George Mason - 157
T-2. La Salle - 157
4. Saint Joseph's - 150
5. Rhode Island - 146
6. George Washington - 126
7. Saint Louis - 113
8. Dayton - 97
9. Richmond - 84
10. Fordham - 76
11. Davidson - 68
12. Duquesne - 56
T-13. St. Bonaventure - 22
T-13. VCU - 22
