BRONXVILLE, N.Y. — The Sarah Lawrence College men's cross country team has been selected ninth in the 2026 Skyline Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the conference on Friday, August 27.

The Gryphons received 37 points in the preseason voting, placing them ninth among the conference's 11 programs. Sarah Lawrence finished ninth at last year's Skyline Championship and enters the 2026 campaign looking to move up the conference standings.

The Gryphons' 2025 season concluded with a ninth-place showing at the Skyline Championship, with all five Sarah Lawrence runners finishing among the top 75 overall competitors. The Gryphons finished ahead of both Old Westbury and Mount Saint Mary, who are projected to occupy the final two spots in this year's preseason poll.

The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) was selected as the preseason favorite, collecting eight first-place votes and 97 total points. The Mariners have captured the last seven Skyline Championships and will once again enter the season as the team to beat.

Farmingdale State was picked second with 89 points and one first-place vote, followed by St. Joseph's-L.I. with 73 points. Manhattanville earned 62 points for fourth, while Maritime collected 60 points and one first-place vote to round out the top five.

Yeshiva was projected sixth with 53 points, followed by Purchase with 50 points and one first-place vote, and St. Joseph's-Brooklyn with 43 points. Sarah Lawrence followed in ninth with 37 points, ahead of Old Westbury (22) and Mount Saint Mary (19).
The Gryphons make their 2026 debut on Friday, September 4 as they head to Adelphi University for the Panthers XC Invite at Bethpage State Park. The race is set to begin at 3:30 p.m.