XC Bears Picked Second in CUSA Preseason Poll
August 27, 2026 | Women's Cross Country
DALLAS - Missouri State cross country was picked to finish second in the 2026 Conference USA Preseason Coaches Poll, the league announced Thursday.
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The Bears collected 60 points in the poll, tying Kennesaw State for second. Defending conference champion Liberty was selected as the preseason favorite with eight first-place votes and 80 points.
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Missouri State enters its second season in CUSA after making an immediate impact in its conference debut last fall. The Bears placed third at the 2025 CUSA Championship in Huntsville, Ala., their best conference finish since 2010.
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MSU totaled 117 points at the championship, trailing only Liberty (40) and New Mexico State (103). The Bears held third place at every split during the 6K race and placed seven runners among the top 40.
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Tabitha Fox led Missouri State with a 13th-place finish in 20:48.40, earning All-CUSA Second Team honors. Her finish was the best by a Bear at a conference championship since 2018.
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Behind Fox, Ella Cronhardt, Elsa Henry and Madilyn Moore finished consecutively in 24th, 25th and 26th place, respectively. Ella Rew, Addysen Clark and Emily Nuttall also finished inside the top 40 as all seven runners recorded performances that ranked among Missouri State's top 20 all-time in the 6K.
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Middle Tennessee and New Mexico State tied for fourth in the preseason poll with 54 points apiece, with MTSU receiving the remaining two first-place votes. Delaware followed with 44 points, while WKU and Sam Houston rounded out the poll.
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Missouri State opens the 2026 season on Sept. 11 at the Queen City After Dark 5K in Springfield with a 9:15 p.m. start.
1.   Liberty (8) - 80
2.   Missouri State - 60
      Kennesaw State - 60
4.   Middle Tennessee (2) - 54
   New Mexico State - 54
6.  Delaware - 44
7.  Jacksonville State - 40
8.  FIU - 26
9.  WKU - 20
10. Sam Houston - 12
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The Bears collected 60 points in the poll, tying Kennesaw State for second. Defending conference champion Liberty was selected as the preseason favorite with eight first-place votes and 80 points.
Â
Missouri State enters its second season in CUSA after making an immediate impact in its conference debut last fall. The Bears placed third at the 2025 CUSA Championship in Huntsville, Ala., their best conference finish since 2010.
Â
MSU totaled 117 points at the championship, trailing only Liberty (40) and New Mexico State (103). The Bears held third place at every split during the 6K race and placed seven runners among the top 40.
Â
Tabitha Fox led Missouri State with a 13th-place finish in 20:48.40, earning All-CUSA Second Team honors. Her finish was the best by a Bear at a conference championship since 2018.
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Behind Fox, Ella Cronhardt, Elsa Henry and Madilyn Moore finished consecutively in 24th, 25th and 26th place, respectively. Ella Rew, Addysen Clark and Emily Nuttall also finished inside the top 40 as all seven runners recorded performances that ranked among Missouri State's top 20 all-time in the 6K.
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Middle Tennessee and New Mexico State tied for fourth in the preseason poll with 54 points apiece, with MTSU receiving the remaining two first-place votes. Delaware followed with 44 points, while WKU and Sam Houston rounded out the poll.
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Missouri State opens the 2026 season on Sept. 11 at the Queen City After Dark 5K in Springfield with a 9:15 p.m. start.
#GoBears
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2026 CUSA Preseason Coaches PollÂ
1.   Liberty (8) - 80
2.   Missouri State - 60
      Kennesaw State - 60
4.   Middle Tennessee (2) - 54
   New Mexico State - 54
6.  Delaware - 44
7.  Jacksonville State - 40
8.  FIU - 26
9.  WKU - 20
10. Sam Houston - 12
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Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Cross Country
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/ Women's Cross Country
Dist.
/ Women's Cross Country
Dist.
/ Women's Cross Country
Dist.
/ Women's Cross Country
Dist.
/ Women's Cross Country
Dist.
/ Women's Cross CountryThursday, August 27
Wednesday, August 26
Tuesday, August 25
Tuesday, August 25
