KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) unveiled its 2026 Women's Cross Country Coaches' Preseason Top 25 on Thursday, and for the 38^th consecutive poll, the Montreat College Cavaliers made an appearance in the national ratings. According to the release, the Cavs begin the 2026 season like the men's squad, landing at No. 23 overall.
 
In total, Montreat racked up 167 points in the voting process, one more than 24^th-rated Rio Grande (Ohio) and five fewer than No. 22 Aquinas (Mich.). Taylor (Ind.) found itself at the top of the preseason national ratings with 557 points and 16 first-place votes.
 
During the previous campaign, the Cavaliers impressed on both the conference and national stages. Montreat followed a runner-up finish at the AAC Cross Country Championships with a 19^th-place effort at the NAIA Cross Country Championships. The Cavs' top returner from last year's squad is Macy Parks, who ended 42^nd individually at the national meet in Tallahassee, Fla.
 
For a look at the 2026 NAIA Women's Cross Country Coaches' Preseason Top 25, click here.
 
The Montreat College women's cross country team kicks off its 2026 slate on Friday, Sept. 4 with a trip to Greenville, S.C. for the Bruins Cross Country Night Classic.