WVU Ranked No. 1 in Region, No. 5 Nationally in USTFCCCA Preseason Polls
August 26, 2025 05:21 PM | Cross Country
MORGANTOWN, W.Va.  – The West Virginia University cross country team opens the season ranked No. 1 in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Mid-Atlantic Regional Preseason Rankings and No. 5 in the National Preseason Poll.
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Last year, WVU captured its first Mid-Atlantic regional title since 2008 and went on to earn a runner-up finish at the NCAA Championships, marking a historic season for the program. The team returns a strong core from that squad, led by All-American Joy Naukot and the experience of redshirt senior Emily Bryce, positioning the team to build on its momentum into 2025.
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"Rankings are a fun way to evaluate how other people might feel about your program. Being ranked first is a wonderful tribute to the very special last 12 months that we have enjoyed. For the most part this is a brand new team with an entirely new story that has yet to be told," WVU coach Sean Cleary said. "We will learn a lot more about ourselves in five to six weeks but for now, we plan to put ourselves into the very best position to maximize out potential come championship time."
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West Virginia begins its 2025 campaign on Friday, Aug. 29, at the Lehigh Invitational in Bethlehem, Pa.
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For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUXCTF on X, Facebook and Instagram.
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Last year, WVU captured its first Mid-Atlantic regional title since 2008 and went on to earn a runner-up finish at the NCAA Championships, marking a historic season for the program. The team returns a strong core from that squad, led by All-American Joy Naukot and the experience of redshirt senior Emily Bryce, positioning the team to build on its momentum into 2025.
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"Rankings are a fun way to evaluate how other people might feel about your program. Being ranked first is a wonderful tribute to the very special last 12 months that we have enjoyed. For the most part this is a brand new team with an entirely new story that has yet to be told," WVU coach Sean Cleary said. "We will learn a lot more about ourselves in five to six weeks but for now, we plan to put ourselves into the very best position to maximize out potential come championship time."
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West Virginia begins its 2025 campaign on Friday, Aug. 29, at the Lehigh Invitational in Bethlehem, Pa.
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For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUXCTF on X, Facebook and Instagram.
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