CARMEL, Ind.–The Hanover College Panthers were tabbed to finish the 2023 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) women’s cross country season on top in a vote amongst league coaches.
 
The Panthers were voted to reign victorious in the 2023 season, garnering 75 points and five first-place votes.

The Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Fightin' Engineers picked up three first-place votes in route to 70 points and second place. The Franklin College Grizzlies snuck into third place with 66 points, narrowly edging out the Manchester University Spartans, who finished in fourth with 64 points and two first-place votes. Rounding out the top half of the poll was the Anderson University Ravens, who picked up 46 points.
 
Bluffton University tied for sixth place with Transylvania.

The following Bluffton althetes were named among those to watch this season: Basil Gates, Jenia Freewalt, Sammie Unger, McKenna Marby.

2023 HCAC WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON POLL
(#) Denotes First Place Votes

1. Hanover College (5)75

2. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (3)  70

3. Franklin College 66

4. Manchester University (2)64

5. Anderson University 46

6. Transylvania University 41

6. Bluffton University 34

8. Mount St. Joseph University 22

9. Earlham College 21

10. Defiance College 11