NEW YORK – Hunter was selected to capture their sixth straight CUNY Athletic Conference men's cross country championship as the league released its preseason coaches' poll Thursday afternoon.
The Hawks, who placed all five scoring runners in the top 10 last season, earned seven first place votes and totaled 49 points to outdistance Baruch, which claimed the other first place vote after finishing as runner-up a season ago, was slotted second with 39 points.
CCNY and Brooklyn tied for the No. 3 spot, with each collecting 32 points. John Jay (25) edged Medgar Evers (24) for fifth, with Lehman (16) and York (7) rounding out the poll.
One Runner to Watch from each team was also announced Thursday afternoon.
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 Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll
(first place votes in parentheses)
1. Hunter (7) - 49
2. Baruch (1) - 39
T3. Brooklyn - 32
T3. CCNY - 32
5. John Jay - 25
6. Medgar Evers - 24
7. Lehman - 16
8. York - 7
CUNYAC Men's Cross Country
Runners to Watch
Brandon Lim,, Baruch - Lim placed eighth in the 2025 CUNYAC Championship with an 8K time of 31:30. He was the second Bearcat runner to cross the finish line.
Anthony King, Brooklyn - King finished fourth at the 2025 CUNYAC meet, posting a time of 29:21.5. King was the Bulldogs' top runner at the championship.
Henry Robles Garcia, CCNY - Entering his third year with the Beavers, Robles Garcia came home 40th at last season's championship with a time of 39:05.9.
Harrison Abarca, Hunter - Abarca came in No. 23 overall at last season's championship, clocking an 8K time of 34:46.8.
Lakdar Layachi, John Jay - In 2024 Layachi placed 11th at the conference championship to claim CUNYAC All-Star honors. He registered a time of 31:47.5.
Marc Saint-Hilaire, Lehman - Saint-Hilaire was a mid-distance specialist for the Lightning during last year's track season, winning gold in the indoor 800 at the conference championship and taking second during the outdoor season.
David Chisholm, Medgar Evers - Chisholm came home 45th at the 2025 CUNYAC Championship, clocking a time of 40:18.3.
Jordan Brown, York -Brown competed for the Cardinals during the 2026 outdoor track and field season, helping York to a fifth-place finish in the 4x400 at the conference championship.
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