2026 RMAC Preseason Polls: MEN | WOMEN
 
COLORADO SPRINGS – The Colorado School of Mines Men's and Women's Cross Country teams were both voted #1 in their respective Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches' Polls this week, and six Orediggers were named Preseason All-RMAC.
 
Mines' women were picked to defend their 2025 RMAC title which was the first in program history. They claimed eight first-place votes and six second-place votes on the way to 190 points – one more than second-place Adams State. Emily LaMena, Callen Nash, and Sierra Wall appeared on the Preseason All-RMAC team as well. Mines' men also raked in eight first-place votes and six second-place votes for 190 points – two ahead of ASU's men. Ethan Grolnic, Dawson Gunn, and Cody Wyman were the Oredigger men on the Preseason All-RMAC team. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team in the polls.
 
Adams State and Western Colorado rounded out the top three teams on the men's list. The Grizzlies and UCCS were second and third on the women's list. In comparison, last year's top three teams in the men's championship, in finishing order, were Adams State, Mines, and Western Colorado. For the women, it was Mines, UCCS, and Adams State.
 
The Orediggers open their 2026 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Roadrunners Invitational hosted by MSU Denver at Washington Park.
 
Fans can keep up with Mines cross country on "X" (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @csmtrack. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.