ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference released the 2026 Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll on Thursday morning. The poll is voted on by all the head coaches in the conference. The University of Northwestern's Women's Cross Country team was tabbed second in the poll, collecting 32 points along with two first-place votes.

The full UMAC conference preview can be accessed here.

The Eagles enter the 2026 season as the reigning UMAC Champions after capturing the 2025 conference title with 30 points.

Northwestern looks to defend its conference championship in head coach Patrick Fitzgerald's third season at the helm. The Eagles return a pair of All-UMAC runners from last season, led by senior Emery Maki (Hibbing, Minn./Hibbing) (Hibbing, Minn./Hibbing). Maki earned First-Team All-UMAC honors after finishing second at the 2025 UMAC Championship with a time of 23:17, making her the Eagles' top finisher at the conference meet. Joining Maki is senior Natalie Van De Riet (Albertville, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville), who was also named All-UMAC last season. Van De Riet placed fourth at the 2025 UMAC Championship, finishing second for Northwestern and earning Second-Team All-UMAC recognition.

The UNW Women's Cross Country Team will open its 2026 campaign on September 4 at the UW-River Falls River Town Invite.