Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Men’s Cross Country selected first in Preseason Poll; Women’s Team fourth
8/27/2026 12:00:00 PM | Men's Cross Country and Track & Field, Women's Cross Country and Track & Field, Track & Field/Cross Country
By: Yessica Mayo, MTSU Athletic Communications
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Middle Tennessee State University men's cross country team was selected first in the preseason Conference USA poll, while the women's team was picked fourth, as voted on by the league's coaches.
The Blue Raiders men's team was picked as the preseason favorite, receiving seven first-place votes, while the women's team received two.
The men's team returns as defending champions after winning the Conference USA Championship at John Hunt Park a season ago. The Blue Raiders return several key contributors, including Allan Kiplagat, who won his second consecutive CUSA individual title in 2025 and was named XC Athlete of the Year. Moses Lekokei also returns are earning Conference USA Men's Newcomer of the Year honors in 2025.
On the women's side, the Blue Raiders finished sixth in the 6K team run last year. Key returners include Privillege Chikara, who placed 10th with a time of 5:34.5 to earn second-team honors, and Odilia Jepchumba, who placed 15th with a time of 5:36.2 to earn third-team recognition. Jepchumba also earned Individual Champion and Freshman of the Meet honors in 2024.
The Blue Raiders will kick off their season beginning on September 5 in Memphis, Tennessee at the Memphis Twilight Classic.
Men's XC Preseason Poll
1. MTSU (7) 49
2. Liberty (1) 42
3. Jax State 37
4. NM State 29
5. Kennesaw State 25
6. WKU 21
7. Sam Houston 14
8. FIU 7
Women's XC Preseason Poll
1. Liberty (8) 80
2. Kennesaw State 60
2. Missouri State 60
4. MTSU 54
4. NM State 54
6. Delaware 44
7. WKU 20
8. Sam Houston 12
Follow the Blue Raiders
Stay up to date with Blue Raiders Cross Country and Track and Field on Instagram (@MTTrackField), X (@MT_TrackField), and Facebook (@MTTrack)
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Middle Tennessee State University men's cross country team was selected first in the preseason Conference USA poll, while the women's team was picked fourth, as voted on by the league's coaches.
The Blue Raiders men's team was picked as the preseason favorite, receiving seven first-place votes, while the women's team received two.
The men's team returns as defending champions after winning the Conference USA Championship at John Hunt Park a season ago. The Blue Raiders return several key contributors, including Allan Kiplagat, who won his second consecutive CUSA individual title in 2025 and was named XC Athlete of the Year. Moses Lekokei also returns are earning Conference USA Men's Newcomer of the Year honors in 2025.
On the women's side, the Blue Raiders finished sixth in the 6K team run last year. Key returners include Privillege Chikara, who placed 10th with a time of 5:34.5 to earn second-team honors, and Odilia Jepchumba, who placed 15th with a time of 5:36.2 to earn third-team recognition. Jepchumba also earned Individual Champion and Freshman of the Meet honors in 2024.
The Blue Raiders will kick off their season beginning on September 5 in Memphis, Tennessee at the Memphis Twilight Classic.
Men's XC Preseason Poll
1. MTSU (7) 49
2. Liberty (1) 42
3. Jax State 37
4. NM State 29
5. Kennesaw State 25
6. WKU 21
7. Sam Houston 14
8. FIU 7
Women's XC Preseason Poll
1. Liberty (8) 80
2. Kennesaw State 60
2. Missouri State 60
4. MTSU 54
4. NM State 54
6. Delaware 44
7. WKU 20
8. Sam Houston 12
Follow the Blue Raiders
Stay up to date with Blue Raiders Cross Country and Track and Field on Instagram (@MTTrackField), X (@MT_TrackField), and Facebook (@MTTrack)
Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Women's Cross Country and Track & Field
Distance
/ Women's Cross Country and Track & Field
Distance
/ Men's Cross Country and Track & Field
Distance
/ Men's Cross Country and Track & FieldMonday, November 10
Friday, August 29
Wednesday, March 12
Thursday, November 21
