The Eastern Oregon University Cross Country teams have both been ranked among the top five in the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) Preseason Coaches' Poll for 2026. The men's team is positioned fifth, earning 109 points and two first-place votes after a successful 2025 season, where they claimed the CCC Championship. The women's team comes in third with 116 points following their strong performance last season. Both teams aim to leverage returning talents and solid coaching under Ben Welch, who has a wealth of experience in leading cross-country programs.

By the Numbers
  • Men's team received 109 points and two first-place votes.
  • Women's team collected 116 points in the preseason poll.
  • Men's team finished 7th nationally with 290 points in 2025.
  • Women鈥檚 team placed 22nd nationally with 569 points, led by Riley Morris.
State of Play
  • Men's team sees the return of All-American Grady Greenwood.
  • Women's team aims to replace All-Conference honoree Riley Morris.
  • Head coach Ben Welch is entering his 36th season, focusing on continued improvement.
What's Next

As the season progresses, both teams will strive to meet or exceed their previous year's performance and contend for the top spots in the conference. The Mounties are expected to leverage their returning talent and strategic training to enhance their standings in upcoming meets.

Bottom Line

The Mounties' strong preseason rankings reflect their potential for a successful 2026 season, but they'll need to effectively navigate the challenges of replacing key performers while building on their recent achievements.