BYU women’s cross country ranked No. 1, men No. 4 in preseason polls
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- BYU’s Carmen Alder (right) and Taylor Lowell (left) celebrate with teammate after learning they had won the NCAA women’s cross country team title at Verona, Wis., on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. Taylor Lowell 149
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- The BYU men’s cross country team celebrates winning the NCAA title at Verona, Wis., on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024.
Having reached the top of the mountain in 2024, the BYU women’s and men’s cross country teams are ready to defends their national team titles.
The Cougars women’s cross country program is ranked No. 1 in the USTFCCCA national preseason poll, the organization announced Tuesday afternoon.
BYU was followed by Oregon, North Carolina State, New Mexico and Big 12 rival West Virginia in the top five.
This year’s squad returns All-American Riley Chamberlain, who placed 31st in last year’s championship. Jenna Hutchins, Taylor Rohatinsky and Taylor Lovell are among the other key returners who contributed to the title run.
The country’s top high school runner, Jane Hedengren from Provo’s Timpview High School, joins the program this fall. Hedengren was named the 2024-25 Gatorade National Female Player of the Year after setting numerous records and was the Nike Cross National champion.
Other newcomers include LSU transfer Emerald Kehr and freshmen Jaylie Jenkins, Zariel Macchia and River White.
BYU men’s cross country is ranked No. 4 in the USTFCCCA national preseason poll. It’s the eighth straight season the Cougars have been ranked in the top four in the preseason.
Iowa State earned the No. 1 spot followed by New Mexico, Oklahoma State, BYU and Wisconsin for the top five.
This year’s team features key returners James Corrigan and Davin Thompson who placed 50th and 62nd overall in last year’s national championship. Luke Grundvig and Garrett and Jacob Stanford also return for Ed Eyestone. Newcomers include Thomas Boyden (Stanford) and Patrick Cullen (Florida State) along with freshman Liam Henninger.
The men’s and women’s squads begin competition with the Autumn Classic at Lakeside Sports Complex in Orem on Sept. 5. The Big 12 Championships (Oct. 31) and NCAA Mountain Regionals (Nov. 14) lead into the NCAA Championships in Columbia, Mo., on Nov. 22.
2025 BYU Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Schedule
Friday, Sept. 5 Autumn Classic at Lakeside Sports Complex (Orem)
Friday, Sept. 26 Cowboy Jamboree at Oklahoma State
Saturday, Oct. 18 at Missouri Pre-Nationals
Friday, Oct. 31 Big 12 Championships at the University of Kansas
Friday, Nov. 14 NCAA Mountain Regionals at Regional Athletic Complex in SLC
Saturday, Nov. 22 NCAA Championships in Columbia, Mo.
