NEW YORK – Hunter was tabbed to win its 12th straight CUNY Athletic Conference women's cross country title as the preseason coaches' poll was announced Thursday morning.
The Hawks, who finished with four runners in the top nine in the 2025 conference championship en route to their 11th straight title, received six of eight first place votes and finished with 48 points. Medgar Evers, which finished second a season ago for its best-ever finish, earned one first-place vote and racked up 38 points to slot second in the poll.
Baruch and CCNY finished tied for the third spot with 34 points apiece, with the Bearcats picking up the other first place vote. John Jay (29) placed fifth, with Brooklyn (21), Lehman (12) and York (8) rounding out the poll.
One Runner to Watch from each team was also announced Thursday morning.
The 2026 CUNYAC Cross Country Championships are set once again take place at Van Cortlandt Park on Sunday, October 25, with the women's 6K race slated for a 9:30 am start. The men's 8K championship is scheduled to begin at 10:30 am.
2026 CUNYAC Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll
(first place votes in parentheses)
1. Hunter (6) - 48
2. Medgar Evers (1) - 38
T3. Baruch (1) - 34
T3. CCNY - 34
5. John Jay - 29
6. Brooklyn - 21
7. Lehman - 12
8. York - 8
CUNYAC Men's Cross Country
Runners to Watch
Emily Stevanus, Baruch - Stevanus crossed the line 10th at the 2025 CUNYAC Championship to claim All-Conference honors. She clocked a 6K time of 28:51.2
Meliza Aguilar, Brooklyn - Aguilar competed in six races for the Bulldogs last fall, posting a time of 38:34.7 at the conference championship.
Karuna Aikawa, CCNY - Aikawa, the 2025 CUNYAC Sportsmanship Award winner, Aikawa placed 14th at the 2025 conference championship with a time of 29:27.1 to earn All-Conference honors.
Shannon Ferri, Hunter - The 2025 CUNYAC Performer of the Year, Ferri finished second at the conference championship last season, traversing the 6K course in 25:09.7.
Skylah Nix, John Jay - Nix placed 17th overall at last season's conference championship, registering a time of 30:03.8.
Priscilla Pol, Lehman - Pol competed in outdoor track in the spring in mid-distance for the Lightning, placing eighth in the 1500.
Brianna Lindo, Medgar Evers - Lindo was the top freshman in the 2025 conference championship, coming home fourth overall with a 6K time of 26:59.6.
Ndieye Sagna, York -Sagna competed for the Cardinals during the 2026 outdoor track and field campaign.
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