The Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 cross country teams were each picked to finish fifth in the 2026 River States Conference (RSC) Preseason Coaches鈥� Polls. The women collected 38 points, just behind fourth-place Midway. Rio Grande emerged as the top contender for both teams, accumulating 63 points on the women's side and 62 on the men's side. The Pomeroys' regular-season schedule includes six meets, culminating in the RSC Championships hosted on their home course in November.

By the Numbers
  • Women鈥檚 Preseason Poll: SMWC - 38 points, Midway - 39 points.
  • Men鈥檚 Preseason Poll: SMWC - 29 points, IU Columbus - 28 points.
State of Play
  • The Pomeroys will begin their season on Sept. 5 at the Franklin Grizzly Invitational.
  • SMWC will race at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course multiple times before hosting the RSC Championships on Nov. 7.
What's Next

The Pomeroys look to improve their standings through a challenging season, aiming for better results at the RSC Championships while competing on a familiar course.

Bottom Line

As they prepare for the season, SMWC cross country teams must leverage their early-season races to build momentum and aim for a strong showing at the conference championships.