All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Cross Country Lady ‘Cats picked fourth in MEC preseason poll

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – The University of Charleston received 10 first-place votes during preseason voting and has been named the 2023 preseason favorite to win the Mountain East Conference Women’s Cross Country Championship, the league announced on Monday.

A season ago, the Charleston women’s cross country team turned in the best finish in league history by taking 15th at the NCAA National Championships at Chambers Creek Regional Park in Washington. UC also won its first-ever Atlantic Region Women’s Cross Country title last fall, placing five runners in the top 20 at the regional event.

In addition to UC taking first place, Davis & Elkins finished eighth at the regional, while Concord placed 13th in the final team standings.

Charleston was followed in the poll by Davis & Elkins (91 points, 1 first-place vote), Concord (81), West Virginia Wesleyan (67) and West Liberty (64) in the top five. The bottom half of the ranking included Wheeling (49), Frostburg State (47), Fairmont State (43), Glenville State (34) and first-year programs West Virginia State (16) and Notre Dame College (13).

The 2023 women’s cross country season will get underway this Friday (Sept. 1) for several MEC programs. The 2023 MEC Cross Country Championship is set for Saturday, Oct. 21 at Oglebay Resort’s Crispin Golf Course.

MEC Women’s Cross Country Preseason Poll
1. Charleston (10) – 100
2. Davis & Elkins (1) – 91
3. Concord – 81
4. West Va. Wesleyan – 67
5. West Liberty – 64
6. Wheeling – 49
7. Frostburg State – 47
8. Fairmont State – 43
9. Glenville State – 34
10. West Virginia St. – 16
11. Notre Dame – 13
Coaches not permitted to vote for own team
( ) First-place votes

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