LATHAM, N.Y. - The Gallaudet University men's cross country team was picked eighth in the 2026 United East preseason coaches poll released on Wednesday.
Gallaudet finished ninth last year at the 2025 United East cross country championship hosted by Penn State Brandywine.
The buff and blue will be led by defending individual champion sophomore
Sevan Ikeda (Fremont, Calif.), who completed last year's championship course in 27:23.21. Ikeda earned first team All-Conference honors and was named both the United East Runner of the Year and Rookie of the Year.
Defending conference champion Penn St.-Berks received the top spot with five first-place votes and 87 total votes. St. Mary's (Md.) garnered four first-place votes to earn the second spot while Penn College checks in at No. 3 with two first-place votes. Penn St.-Harrisburg is fourth followed by Lancaster Bible College, who rounds out the Top 5 in this year's preseason poll.
The 2026 United East cross country championship will be held on Saturday, Oct. 31, and hosted by Penn St.-Berks.
Gallaudet will open the 2026 season by traveling to Lebanon, Pa., to compete in the Dutchmen Invitational, hosted by Lebanon Valley College, on Sept. 5, with a 11 a.m. start time.
2026 United East Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll
1. Penn St.-Berks (5)
2. St. Mary's (Md.) (4)
3. Penn College (2)
4. Penn St.-Harrisburg
5. Lancaster Bible
6. Penn St.-Abington
7. Cairn
8. GALLAUDET
9. Notre Dame (Md.)
10. Keystone
11. Penn St.-Brandywine
( ) = First-place votes
Also see:
The preseason poll rankings were conducted by the United East cross country coaches, with each coach ranking out all teams but their own using a staggered points system (10 points for a first-place vote, nine points for second, etc.). No self-voting was allowed. This is the second year the United East has held preseason polls.
