NEW ORLEANS, La. - The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) released its NCAA Division II Women's Cross Country Preseason National Rankings, and the Hillcats have achieved their second-highest-ever ranking in the preseason poll, coming in at 19^th with 85 points.
 
The Hillcats reached as high as 16^th in the poll last year and finished the year ranked 29^th nationally. Yesterday, RSU was ranked third in the NCAA Division II Central Region, making them the second-highest-ranked team in the region from the MIAA.
 
Grand Valley State is the preseason favorite on the women's side with 235 points. They are followed by Adams State (234 points) and Wingate (224 points). Pittsburg State appeared at ninth in the poll with 175 points, Nebraska-Kearney is 23^rd (68 points) and Missouri Southern is 25^th. For more information, visit 2026 NCAA DII Women's Cross Country National Coaches' Poll – Preseason ::: USTFCCCA.
 
RSU will open the season by hosting the RSU Distance After Dark meet at the Mohawk Sports Complex in Tulsa this Thursday. The women's race is scheduled to start under the lights in T-Town at 10:00 p.m.