Penguins Make History as Both XC Teams Named Horizon League Favorites
9/1/2026 1:10:00 PM | Cross Country
For the first time in program history, the Youngstown State men's and women's cross country programs have been simultaneously selected as Horizon League preseason favorites. Both Penguins teams are slated to repeat as champions this season, the league announced today in its 2026 Under Armour #HLXC Preseason Poll.
On the men's side, the Penguins picked up 99 points, with IU Indianapolis coming in second with 85 points and Oakland rounding out the top three selections with 77 points. This marks the fourth straight year the men have led the preseason voting. This season, they will look to capture their fifth consecutive conference title at the HL Championships on Oct. 31 in Clinton, Pa.
Three of the four men's first-and second-team honorees return, including 2025 Freshman of the Year Patrick Burgos and fifth-years Sage Vavro and Blaze Fichter. The team adds two freshmen and two transfers.
The women led with 140 points, followed by Oakland with 119 and Purdue Fort Wayne finishing third with 105 points. This marks the first time the women have been dubbed preseason favorites and the first time they will look to repeat as conference champions since the 2013-14 season.
McKinley Fielding and Caleigh Richards are two of the top three women returning to the course from last season's individual leaders, and the squad adds four freshmen.
The Penguins will open the 2026 campaign at the RMU Colonial Invitational on Sept. 11 at Youthtowne Fields. For live updates and results throughout the 2026 season, follow @YSUTrackFieldXC on X.
2026 Under Armour Men's #HLXC Preseason Poll
- Youngstown State – 99
- IU Indianapolis – 85
- Oakland – 77
- Green Bay – 73
- Wright State – 53
- Detroit Mercy – 44
- RMU – 34
- Purdue Fort Wayne – 31
- Northern Kentucky – 29
- Milwaukee – 25
2026 Under Armour Women's #HLXC Preseason Poll
- Youngstown State – 140
- Oakland – 119
- Purdue Fort Wayne – 105
- RMU – 101
- Milwaukee – 95
- IU Indianapolis – 87
- Green Bay – 83
- Northern Kentucky – 61
- NIU – 48
- Detroit Mercy – 35
- Wright State – 32
- Cleveland State – 30
