CARMEL, Ind - The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) has announced the results of its women’s cross country preseason coaches’ poll on Thursday morning with 2025 HCAC Champion Manchester predicted to best the field again. The Spartans earned 80 points in the poll and eight of a possible 10 first place votes.
Hanover ranked second in this year’s voting with 66 points and a first place vote. Rose-Hulman and Transylvania tied for the No. 3 spot in this year’s poll with 63 points apiece with the Pioneers earning the final first place vote. Franklin closed out the top-five with 41 points.
The Spartans return two All-Conference performers this season, including 2025 Runner of the Year Chesnee Miller (Akron, Ind.). Ayla Cashdollar (North Manchester, Ind.) is the other All-Conference returner. She and Miller will be supported by two other key returners in Ava Egolf (North Manchester, Ind.) and Kadence Fox (North Manchester, Ind.).
The 2026 HCAC Cross Country Championships are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 31 with Manchester University serving as host.
2026 HCAC Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll Results
| 1. |
Manchester |
80 (8) |
| 2. |
Hanover |
66 (1) |
| T3. |
Rose-Hulman |
63 |
| T3. |
Transylvania |
63 (1) |
| 5. |
Franklin |
41 |
| 6. |
Mount St. Joseph |
40 |
| 7.. |
Berea |
36 |
| 8. |
Anderson |
24 |
| 9. |
Bluffton |
20 |
| 10. |
Earlham |
17 |
2026 Team-by-Team Capsules
Manchester University Spartans (North Manchester, Ind.)
Predicted 2026 HCAC Finish = First place with 80 poll points and eight first place votes.
Head Coach = Brian Cashdollar (2025 Coach of the Year)
2025 Championship Result = 1st Place (55 points)
Returning HCAC All-Conference Runners = 2
- (All-Conference) Ayla Cashdollar, Sophomore, North Manchester, Ind.
- (All-Conference) Chesnee Miller, Junior, Akron, Ind. (2025 Runner of the Year)
Other Runners to Watch in 2026 =
- Ava Egolf, Junior, North Manchester, Ind.
- Kadence Fox, Sophomore, North Manchester, Ind.
Hanover College Panthers (Hanover, Ind.)
Predicted 2026 HCAC Finish = Second place with 66 poll points and one first place vote.
Head Coach = Brady Wells
2025 Championship Result = Tied for 2nd Place (63 points)
Returning HCAC All-Conference Runners = 2
- (All-Conference) Kaylee Kinser, Junior, Charlestown, Ind.
- (All-Conference) Lanie Roberts, Junior, Salem, Ind.
Other Runners to Watch in 2026 =
- Jennifer Guevara, Sophomore, Mitchell, Ind.
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Fightin’ Engineers (Terre Haute, Ind.)
Predicted 2026 HCAC Finish = Tied for third place with 63 poll points.
Head Coach = Derick Lawrence
2025 Championship Result = 4th Place (64 points)
Returning HCAC All-Conference Runners = 2
- (All-Conference) Jocelyn Onstot, Senior, Cary, Ill.
- (HM) Brianna Bittel, Senior, San Jose, Calif.
Transylvania Pioneers (Lexington, Ky.)
Predicted 2026 HCAC Finish = Tied for third place with 63 poll points and one first place vote.
Head Coach = Matt Andrews
2025 Championship Result = Tied for 2nd Place (63 points)
Returning HCAC All-Conference Runners = 2
- (All-Conference) Ella Detjen, Sophomore, Lexington, Ky. (2025 Newcomer of the Year)
- (HM) Gwyneth Cunningham, Senior, Louisville, Ky.
Franklin College Grizzlies (Franklin, Ind.)
Predicted 2026 HCAC Finish = Fifth place with 41 poll points.
Head Coach = Brandon Dworak
2025 Championship Result = 6th Place (172 points)
Runners to Watch in 2026 =
- Andrea Madrigal, Sophomore, Fort Wayne, Ind.
- Haley Scroggins, Freshman, Evansville, Ind.
- Ariana Sheckler, Sophomore, Fort Wayne, Ind.
- Fiona Sodrel, Junior, Bargersville, Ind.
Mount St. Joseph Lions (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Predicted 2026 HCAC Finish = Sixth place with 40 poll points.
Head Coach = Adam Cokonougher
2025 Championship Result = No Team Score
Berea College Mountaineers (Berea, Ky.)
Predicted 2026 HCAC Finish = Seventh place with 36 poll points.
Head Coach = Michael Thomas
2025 Championship Result = 5th Place (87 points)
Runners to Watch in 2026 =
- Ashley Bailey, Senior, Stanton, Ky.
- E Chambers, Senior, Parsons, W.Va.
Anderson University Ravens (Anderson, Ind.)
Predicted 2026 HCAC Finish = Eighth place with 24 poll points.
Head Coach = Nic Huffman
2025 Championship Result = 5th Place (87 points)
Runners to Watch in 2026 =
- Hattie Harlow, Sophomore, Russiaville, Ind.
- Anna Walpole, Junior, Zionsville, Ind.
Bluffton University Beavers (Bluffton, Ohio)
Predicted 2026 HCAC Finish = Ninth place with 20 poll points.
Head Coach = Connor Gulick
2025 Championship Result = No Team Score
Returning HCAC All-Conference Runners = 1
- (All-Conference) Sara Smith, Junior, Mansfield, Ohio
Other Runners to Watch in 2026 =
- Kamryn McDonald, Junior, Marion, Ohio
Earlham College Quakers (Richmond, Ind.)
Predicted 2026 HCAC Finish = Tenth place with 17 poll points.
Head Coach = George Rickett
2025 Championship Result = No Team Score
Returning HCAC All-Conference Runners = 1
- (All-Conference) Cleo Saltz, Junior, Bedford Hills, N.Y.