ELKINS, W.Va. — The Davis & Elkins College men's and women's cross country teams were each selected second in the 2025 Mountain East Conference preseason polls, the league announced Thursday.

Both programs are coming off historic 2024 campaigns in which they captured MEC team championships, NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional titles, and posted their highest-ever NCAA Championship finishes. The Senators also swept MEC Coach of the Year honors, with head coach Jason Pyles earning recognition after guiding both squads to unprecedented success.

On the men's side, Davis & Elkins collected four first-place votes and 94 points in the poll, finishing just behind the University of Charleston (97 points, seven first-place votes). The Senators ended Charleston's six-year run as MEC champions last fall by placing five runners in the top eight at the league meet. The team went on to win the Atlantic Region title before finishing 27th nationally at the NCAA Championships in Sacramento, California.

Senior Konnor Allison, a 2024 All-MEC Second Team selection and U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Region honoree, headlines the returners. Senior Jordan Thomas also returns after earning First Team All-MEC and USTFCCCA All-Region recognition last fall while helping to anchor the Senators' championship run.

On the women's side, Davis & Elkins received three first-place votes and 90 points, finishing just behind Charleston (98 points, eight first-place votes) in the preseason poll. The Senators broke UC's four-year championship streak last season, winning both the MEC and Atlantic Region titles before taking 28th at the NCAA Championships.

Senior Lauren Twyman returns as the reigning MEC individual champion, earning First Team All-MEC and USTFCCCA All-Region honors in 2024. She will be joined by a strong group of returners, including junior Lydia Falkenstein, who placed fifth at last year's MEC Championships and was named First Team All-MEC and USTFCCCA All-Region, and senior Savanna Hardman, who also earned First Team All-MEC and USTFCCCA All-Region recognition.

"It's always fun to see rankings and how you are viewed preseason by the other colleges in your conference," Pyles said. "Preseason rankings are also great for the sport to get people talking and to get some attention on the sport. But the great thing is the results on MEC championship day will be the only ranking that matters. I feel very good about our team and where we will be on October 25th."

The 2025 MEC cross country season begins Thursday, Sept. 4. The conference championships are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Crispin Golf Course at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, West Virginia.

2025 MEC Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll

1. Charleston (7) — 97

2. Davis & Elkins (4) — 94

3. Concord — 75

4. Frostburg State — 69

5. West Va. Wesleyan — 60
   T6. Glenville State — 58
   T6. West Liberty — 58

6. Fairmont State — 34

7. Point Park — 30

8. Wheeling — 20

9. West Virginia State — 10

2025 MEC Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll

1. Charleston (8) — 98

2. Davis & Elkins (3) — 90

3. West Va. Wesleyan — 85

4. Concord — 73

5. Frostburg State — 59

6. Point Park — 49

7. West Liberty — 48

8. Fairmont State — 43

9. Glenville State — 30

10. Wheeling — 20

11. West Virginia State — 10