Indianapolis, Ind. – After capturing their seventh Great Lakes Valley Conference Championship in program history last season, the Lewis University Women's Cross Country team looks to claim their eighth as they were voted to finish first this season in the GLVC Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league office announced on Tuesday.
The Flyers outshone the competition, receiving 13 first-place votes with 169 total points. Southwest Baptist was the only other team to receive a first-place vote and was tabbed second place with 152 points. Maryville was voted in third place with 129 total points. Illinois Springfield was picked to finish fourth with 126 points, while Drury was selected to finish fifth with 125 total points. Truman State (117), Indianapolis (98), Rockhurst (82), Missouri S&T (77), Quincy (60), Lincoln (52), Missouri–St. Louis (37), McKendree (33), and Upper Iowa (17) closed out the remaining rankings.
The Flyers are returning two fierce competitors from last season in All-GLVC honorees Mary Edwards (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central) and Madilyn Calloway (Rochester, Ind./Rochester Community). Edwards placed second at the GLVC Championships with a time of 21:38.62 and took seventh at the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional with a time of 21:08.03. Edwards then placed 66th at the NCAA Championships with a time of 21:27.1. Calloway returns after finishing eighth at the GLVC Championships (22:04.43) and placed 18th at the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional.
Reigning GLVC Coach of the Year James Kearney returns for his 16th season as the head coach. After leading the program to a 14th-place finish at the NCAA Division II National Championship last season, Kearney looks to build on that success in 2026. Since 2010, Kearney has helped mentor seven NCAA Cross Country All-Americans, 51 All-Midwest region athletes, and 106 All-GLVC honorees.
The season starts on Friday, September 4, with the Flyer Early Bird. The Flyers will then return home on Saturday, October 10, to host the Lewis Crossover.
For the latest news and updates on Lewis women's cross country, visit LewisFlyers.com and follow the Flyers on social media at @Lewisxctrack on Instagram.
