In the 2019 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) men’s and women’s cross country preseason polls, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is the overwhelming favorite for the men, while the tighter women’s race saw Manchester University emerge as the winner.
In the women’s poll the top three teams were separated by only 10 points, while all three received first-place votes.
The Spartans claimed the top spot with 74 points and five first place nods.
Bluffton University finished in second with 70 points and two first place picks, while Rose-Hulman took third with 64 points and also received one first place vote. The women’s results also mirror the 2018 finish, where Manchester took the 2018 title, followed by Bluffton (second), Rose-Hulman (third) and Hanover (fourth).
Listed is the 2019 HCAC Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Preseason Polls and the 2019 HCAC Runners to Watch.
2019 HCAC WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON POLL
(#) Denotes First Place Votes
1. Manchester (5) 74 pts.
2. Bluffton (2) 70 pts.
3. Rose-Hulman (1) 64 pts.
4. Hanover 57 pts.
5. Earlham 55 pts.
6. Franklin 38 pts.
7. Transylvania 25 pts.
8. Anderson 20 pts.
8. Mount St. Joseph 20 pts.
10. Defiance 11 pts.
2019 HCAC MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON POLL
(#) Denotes First Place Votes
Rose-Hulman (8) 80 pts.
Manchester 67 pts.
Hanover 64 pts.
Earlham 59 pts.
Franklin 46 pts.
Bluffton 43 pts.
Anderson 27 pts.
Transylvania 27 pts.
Mount St. Joseph 15 pts.
Defiance 12 pts.
2019 HCAC Runners to Watch:
Bluffton Men
Dakota Frost SR Edgerton, Ohio
Connor Gulick SR St. Louisville, Ohio
Britton Boyle FR Middletown, Ohio
Bluffton Women
Alexis Cash SR Gaines, Mich.
Bailie Barrington JR Waynesfield, Ohio
Arie Cox SR Ontario, Ohio
