COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The Preseason Coaches' Poll for Women's Cross Country was released Thursday at 1 PM, announced by the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The Adams State Women's Cross Country team was predicted to win the 2025 RMAC Women's Cross Country Championship in the Preseason Poll after securing their 21st National Title in 2024. The Grizzlies received 13 of the 14 first-place votes, along with 1 second-place vote, totaling 195 of the 196 possible points.

In second place was Colorado School of Mines, which finished 5th in last year's National Championships. Mines received 9 second-place votes and 2 third-place votes, giving them 170 points. In third was CSU Pueblo, which finished 3rd in the 2024 National Championships. CSU Pueblo received 1 first-place vote, 2 second-place votes, and 7 third-place votes, giving them 160 points. Rounding out the top five were Western Colorado and UCCS, tied for fourth, receiving 156 points. Western Colorado received 1 first-place vote and 3 third-place votes, while UCCS received 3 second-place votes and 1 third-place vote. Both Western Colorado and UCCS were also part of the National Championships in 2024, with Western finishing in 12th and UCCS finishing in 7th.

Looking at the rest of the conference Fort Lewis was voted to finish sixth with 122 points, Colorado Mesa in seventh with 113 points, Colorado Christian in eighth with 112 points which included 2 third-place votes, MSU Denver in ninth with 89 points, Black Hills State in tenth with 87 points, South Dakota Mines in eleventh with 59 points, Chadron State in twelfth with 55 points, New Mexico Highlands in thirteenth with 45 points, Regis in fourteenth with 40 points, and Westminster in fifteenth with 16 points. 

With the return of the 2024 Athlete of the Year in the RMAC in Ava O'Connor leading the way for the Grizzlies, they will seek to become Champions yet again in the 2025 season. Along with O'Connor, the Grizzlies return a multitude of strong runners that will give them an outstanding chance to become back-to-back champions. These strong runners include O'Connor, Katie Hughes, and Tristian Spence, who were all chosen as Preseason All-RMAC runners this year. Hughes returns after being a 2nd-Team All-RMAC selection in 2024, along with a National Championship appearance in which she placed 56th. Spence returns after being a 1st-Team All-RMAC selection in 2024, along with an 11th-place finish in the 2024 National Championship race. Spence recorded the second-fastest time for the Grizzlies in the National Championships behind only Elena Carey, who graduated after her 7th-place finish in 2024. 

Adams State will open up their season here in Alamosa as they will host a meet on the weekend of September 6th. This will be a great opportunity to watch Adams State's runners as they seek to win their 22nd National Title and become back-to-back Champions

2025 Preseason All-RMAC: Women's Cross Country  

Madison Brosig (2, FRotY) UCCS RSo. Greeley, Colo.  

Imani Fernandez-Gorbea (2) Colorado School of Mines RSr. Boulder, Colo.  

Hannah Hartwell (1) Fort Lewis Sr. Carlsbad, Calif.  

Lexi Herr Colorado School of Mines RSr. Huntsville, Ala.  

Jadyn Herron (2) CSU Pueblo Sr. Queen Creek, Ariz. 

 Megan Hodges Colorado Mesa RSr. Aurora, Colo.  

Katie Hughes (2) Adams State Gr. Helston, England  

Emily LaMena Colorado School of Mines RSo. Huntington, N.Y.  

Ava O'Connor (1, AotY) Adams State RSr. Emo, Ireland  

Kaya Pillivant (2) UCCS RJr. Cheyenne, Wyo.  

Camille Renou CSU Pueblo Sr. Chalonnes, France  

Tristian Spence (1) Adams State RJr. Grand Junction, Colo.  

Grace Strongman Colorado School of Mines RSr. Prairie Village, Kan.  

Lauren Willson (1) Western Colorado Jr. Round Rock, Texas  

Symbols in parentheses are 2024 All-RMAC Recognitions: AotY – was the Athlete of the Year; FRotY – was the Freshman of the Year; 1 -was a First  Team All-RMAC selection; 2 - was a Second Team All-RMAC selection.