Greenville University Tops 2026 SLIAC Men’s Cross Country Preseason Poll

Columbus, Miss. — The Greenville University men’s cross country team is the preseason favorite in the 2026 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) coaches’ poll, released Monday. The Panthers received 62 points, including seven of nine first-place votes. They have won 10 consecutive SLIAC championships, with coach Brian Patton returning all but one runner from last year’s team.

Last season, Kaden Einhorn won the individual title in his first collegiate season and was his team’s top finisher in all six races. Mason Clayton and Luis Zavala, who finished second and third, are back to challenge Einhorn for top honors each week. Other key contributors include Chris Bandy and Kyle Cooley, along with newcomers Avery Brock, Tyler Butler, Nathan Clampett, and Hunter Malan.

Principia College finished second in the poll with 54 points and one first-place vote. The Panthers will need to replace last year’s top runner, Zach Proctor, but Coach Justin Halley has experienced runners such as Kennett Rampley and Holland Thomas returning. New additions Tyrone Meridian, Dallas Manhart, and Davyon Walker are expected to bolster the squad.

Webster University was predicted to finish third with 49 points and one first-place vote. Coach Kyle Robinson’s team features four All-Conference runners, including Ethan Neiroda, a three-time honoree, and Simon Muthemba, who finished third at conference last fall. Brayden Halter and Johnny Imboden are also returning contributors.

Spalding University was picked fourth with 39 points, while Blackburn College was fifth with 32 points. Blackburn’s coach Noah Daum returns an experienced roster that achieved its best conference finish since 2021, led by Christian Miller and Collyn Oberkfell. Lyon College and MUW finished sixth and seventh, respectively, with 26 and 24 points. Lyon’s new coach Katherine Mayberry plans to build around returners Gavin Bush and Collin Orvin, while MUW’s top runners include Jarvis Sellers and Noel Kellum. Eureka College and Westminster College rounded out the poll with 21 and 17 points, respectively.

The 2026 SLIAC men’s cross country watch list features standout athletes such as Mason Clayton, Kaden Einhorn, Cole Glover, Johnny Imboden, Simon Muthemba, Ethan Neiroda, Kennett Rampley, Holland Thomas, Bailey Webster, and Bailey Zavala.

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