PORTLAND, ORE. – The University of Alaska Anchorage women's cross country team was picked second and the men were picked third in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Preseason Coach's Poll Monday.
The UAA women were picked to finish second this season after finishing third at the 2024 GNAC Championships with 80 points. Reigning GNAC Freshman of the Year Alexandra Otto could be among the favorites to contend for the individual title this fall, after placing eighth (21:57.5 minutes) in her debut season. The Seawolves' depth is bolstered by the return of Avery Williamson (15th place, 22:20.1 minutes), GNAC Newcomer of the Year Ryann Smith (28th place, 22:50.2 minutes), Makendra McCarty (30th place, 23:02.8 minutes), Lilli Lindner (T31st place, 23:03.7 minutes) and Delaney Draeger (51st place, 23:52.8 minutes).
The UAA men were third in the team standings last fall with 86 points, including a pair of all-conference performances. Back on the roster for UAA is senior John Peckham, who was the team's leading runner in fifth place (24:40.0 minutes) in 2024. Ty Elliott, who placed 15th (25:08.5 minutes), Matt Rongitsch (32nd place, 25:46.1 minutes) and Samuel Roy (39th place, 26:07.7 minutes) are other returners who finished in the top half of the field of competitors in 2024. UAA will have to replace Zachary Grams, who finished sixth (24:42.4 minutes) last year.
Alaska Anchorage will host in-state rival Alaska Fairbanks at the Seawolf Throwdown at Kincaid Park on Sept. 6th.
2025 GNAC Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll
Rank Team (1st Place Votes) Points 2024 GNAC Championships Finish (Score)
1 Western Washington (10) 100 1st (48)
2 Alaska Anchorage 83 T3rd (80)
3 Simon Fraser 73 5th (95)
4 Alaska 69 2nd (74)
5 Seattle Pacific 61 T3rd (80)
6 Western Oregon 55 6th (162)
7 Central Washington 43 7th (181)
8 Northwest Nazarene 31 8th (208)
9 Montana State Billings 19 9th (279)
10 Saint Martin's 18 10th (314)
Points awarded on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.
2025 GNAC Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll
Rank Team (1st Place Votes) Points 2024 GNAC Championships Finish (Score)
1 Western Washington (8) 98 1st (32)
2 Northwest Nazarene (2) 92 2nd (73)
3 Alaska Anchorage 73 3rd (86)
4 Western Oregon 72 T4th (95)
5 Central Washington 57 T4th (95)
6 Simon Fraser 56 6th (153)
7 Alaska 39 7th (196)
8 Seattle Pacific 32 8th (248)
9 Saint Martin's 21 9th (257)
10 Montana State Billings 10 DNC
Points awarded on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.
