August 24, 2026

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The 2026 Frontier Conference Women’s Cross Country preseason favorite Carroll (Mont.) headlined the NAIA Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 national poll on Aug. 20.

The Fighting Saints received 247 points in the national poll, sitting at No. 19 ranking in the preseason poll.  Carroll captured the Frontier Conference Women’s Cross Country conference title last fall for the fifth time in the last six years. 

Montana Tech also received votes recognition (RV) to the national poll.

Both Carroll and Montana Tech advanced to the NAIA Women’s Cross Country National Championships last season.  CC finished 20^th, while MT placed 23^rd.

The Preseason Top 25 is the first of six ratings on the 2026 schedule, including four regular-season ratings – Sept. 24, Oct. 8, Oct. 15, and Oct. 29 – and final rating, Nov. 10, to determine at-large qualifiers for the 2026 NAIA National Championship on Nov. 20 in Vancouver, Wash.
 

Preseason - Aug. 20	#19	RV