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Binghamton University Athletics

Cross Country 2026 Preseason Poll

Cross Country teams both picked second in AE Poll

| By: David O’Brian (dobrian@binghamton.edu)

Bearcats open 2026 season at Colgate Invite Sept. 5

VESTAL, N.Y. - The America East has released its annual cross country preseason poll, which has both the Bearcat men and women picked second out of nine squads at this year's championship meet. The voting was done by the nine conference head coaches - none of whom were allowed to vote for their own team. The conference championships are set for Oct. 30 and will be hosted by the University of Albany.

The Bearcat men's team finished a close second to UMass Lowell at last year's America East meet - and the same is true in the preseason poll. The River Hawks, who have won the past six titles - finished with 64 points in the preseason poll and got all eight possible first-place votes. Binghamton, meanwhile, was second in the poll with 54 points and received the other first-place vote. 

The rest of the men's preseason poll included UMBC (49 points), Maine (47), Vermont (33), NJIT (24), New Hampshire and Bryant (both with 22) as well as UAlbany (9). 

On the women's side, defending champion Maine was first in the preseason poll with 63 points and got seven of the nine first-place votes. Binghamton was second (53) followed by Bryant (42), UMass Lowell (41) and Vermont (38). The Bulldogs and Catamounts each received one of the other two first-place votes. Rounding out the women's poll were New Hampshire (30), UMBC (26), NJIT (20) and UAlbany (11).

Binghamton returns four all-conference selections on the men's side this season. Junior Bobby Mayclim was fourth at the America East Championships last year followed by fellow junior Nick Thomas (fifth), senior Liam Cody (seventh) and sophomore George Thomatos (12th). In addition, sophomore Anthony Zazzaro was 19th and fellow sophomore Noah Hilker placed 23rd.

The rest of the returning men's runners from last year's conference meet include junior Oliver Jibb and senior Luke Miklus. Jibb was 28th at the 2024 conference meet and was seventh in the 3,000 Steeplechase (SC) at last spring's America East Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

Also back for the Bearcat men are sophomore Justin Albanese, junior John Garrison and graduate student Austin Wefer.

Joining the Binghamton men's team this season are freshmen Carson Zuba and Owen Gasper.

On the women's side, Junior Anna Gansrow was 10th at last year's America East Championships, marking the second straight season she earned all-conference honors. Also earning all-conference accolades in 2025 was current sophomore Alice Rappazzo, who was 12th. Senior Brynn Hogan was 15th last season while redshirt junior Vicky Mordvinova was 30th.

Other returning women's runners from last year's conference championship meet include senior Abigail Litwiller, juniors Alicia DeFilippis, Eleanor Lees and Madeline Jensen, as well as sophomore Taylor Page. Lees was fourth overall in the 3,000 SC at last year's America East Outdoor Championships and was sixth in the 1,000 at the preceding indoor conference meet.

Also back this season for the Binghamton women are sophomore Charlotte Dunkel and senior Taegan Hodges. 

A trio of freshmen join the Bearcat women's squad this season. They include Anna Congelli, Julia Duzynski and Chloe Connolly. 

Binghamton opens its 2026 season at the Colgate/Harry Lang Invitational on Sept. 5.

 
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