The St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) has announced its 2025 Women's Cross Country Coaches Poll, with The W ranked in sixth place. Greenville University has tabbed first, once again.
Greenville University tallied 63 points in this year's preseason poll, including picking up seven first-place votes from league coaches. Although head coach Brian Patton said goodbye to multiple conference champion Gretchen Carie, he is confident in his team's depth to again take the program to the top of the conference. Norah Swinigan, Raven Vance, and Alivia Clayton all finished in the top four at last year's conference championship with Chloe Aubuschon also placing 9th. Outside of the strong class of returners the Panthers also welcome in top newcomers Natali Roth, Lydia Cahill, and Alexis Martinez.
Spalding University was picked second in the poll, finishing with 57 points and receiving the other two first-place nods. Last year the Golden Eagles had their best finish at the conference championship (2nd) since 2015 and return six All-Conference runners. Bailey Haws, Bessie Kelley, and Eryn Rataiczak all earned First Team honors as freshmen runners last fall and are back to again lead the team. Also back to provide depth are Avory Hamblen and Reganne Piercey, both all-conference runners, as well as Takara Williams. Head Coach Stephen Gray brings in Hannah Tapscott and Azra Sahingoz to push the lineup.
With 42 points, Principia College placed 3rd in the poll. Returners Nina Martinez and Sarah Erickson led Principia to a 4th-place showing last year and will be the focus for head coach Justin Halley. Both Martinez and Erickson earned All-Conference honors last season and will guide the group of newcomers to the program. Among the newcomers to watch are Sophia Green and Danielle Vargas.
Webster University picked up 39 points in the voting, placing 4th. Webster University placed 6th at last year's championship, and head coach Kyle Robinson brings an influx of talent into the program with five new runners. Brie Inman heads up the list of returners, after placing 34th last season. New faces to follow are Violet Hill, Lydia Imboden, and Keylit Gomez.
Fifth on the poll is Lyon College with 36 points. The Scots finished 3rd last year, and head coach Adam Trausch will look to Madison DeRousel to lead the team. The junior runner placed 5th individually last year, earning First Team All-Conference honors. She is joined by Brianna Krantz, Novalee Lackey, and Alora Hunter as fellow returners.
MUW received 27 points in the voting, placing them 6th on the poll.
Hannah Owens returns after helping the Owls to a 5th-place showing at last year's championship. The junior picked up Second Team All-SLIAC honors last season – for the second consecutive season - and is joined by fellow returners
Rebecca Aday and Alina Mathis. Head Coach
Dedrick Burnett is counting on newcomers Destini Simmons and Jaliyah Fung to add to the team depth.
With 24 points, Westminster College comes in at #7 on the poll. The Blue Jays will look to sophomore returner Keely Lauer to provide leadership on a program that is continuing to build its depth. That depth includes two transfers in Sadie Brandt and Riley Vogel as well as a promising class of freshmen, which includes Makayla Cordes and Anna Wright.
Blackburn College picked up 22 points in the voting, placing them 8th. Head Coach Noah Daum brings in the largest recruiting class for the Beavers in a number of years and will pair that with returners Olivia Leemon and Gracie Jent. Among the newcomers joining the program are Sophia Palmier, Kaitlyn Garland, Lydia Maier, Mary Ahrens, and Hunter Kirk.
Eureka College wraps up the rankings, tallying 14 points from league coaches. Head Coach Chris Robinson will have to reload his program as they look to field a full team for the championship this season. Newcomer Zoe Stoecker will be one of the key runners in building the program back up.
