EDISON, NJ – Iona College and Quinnipiac University were voted to repeat as MAAC Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Champions, respectively, by the leagues 11 head coaches. The Gaels were a unanimous selection, receiving 121 points and all 11 first-place votes in the men’s cross country poll. The Bobcats totaled 116 points, receiving six-first place votes in the women’s cross country poll.

The Gaels have won the MAAC Men’s Cross Country Championship every year since 1991. Iona College’s season begins on Saturday, September 3 at the Marist Invitational. Marist College, led by 2015 MAAC Cross Country Coach of the Year, Pete Colaizzo, totaled 101 points to finish in second place. Canisius College totaled 94 points to finish in third place and Manhattan College and Monmouth University tied for fourth place with 79 points.

The Quinnipiac Bobcats Women’s Cross Country team ended the 10 year reign of Iona College when they took home the championship a season ago under the guidance of 2015 MAAC Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year Carolyn Martin. The Gaels finished in second place in the preseason poll, totaling 112 points and garnering five first-place votes. Monmouth University finished in third place with 95 points; Marist College totaled 87 points to come in fourth place and with 69 points, Canisius College rounds out the top five.

The 2016 MAAC Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Championships take place on Saturday, October 29 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista, Florida and will be broadcasted on ESPN3. For all up-to-date information on MAAC Cross Country, visit maacsports.com and for all championship information, visit maacsports.com/crosscountry

Men’s Preseason Coaches' Poll       

Women’s Preseason Coaches’ Poll