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