BRIGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) has released its preseason poll ahead of the 2026 cross country season. The Adrian College women's cross country team was picked to finish seventh in the conference this year.

The preseason favorite is Hope College, which received five first-place votes and 60 total points. In second place is Calvin University, which earned three first-place votes and 58 points total. Rounding out the top three and receiving one first-place vote was the reigning MIAA champion, Trine Thunder. Kalamazoo College was picked to finish fourth, Saint Mary's College in fifth, while Alma College slid into sixth place. Adrian College earned 23 points in seventh, Albion College was picked to finish eighth, and the University of Olivet was picked to finish last.

The team will look to improve upon their 2025 season. Adrian will lean on the experience of Bridget Waterstradt, who finished with a time of 24:13.3 at the MIAA conference championship last season. 

The Bulldogs kick off the season on September 1 at 6 PM at the Comet Open, hosted by the University of Olivet.