Photo by: SMC Athletics / Piper Westrom
MXC | Gaels Picked to Finish Fifth in WCC Preseason Poll, Highest Preseason Rank Since 2022
8/21/2025 10:01:00 AM | Men's Cross Country
SAN BRUNO, Calif. — Coming off of their best NCAA West Regional Finish in program history, Saint Mary's Men's Cross Country earned the attention of the WCC coaches, earning a fifth place rank in the preseason coaches poll. The fifth place preseason rank is the best for the Gaels since 2022, when they were also picked to finish fifth.
After a stellar regular season that featured a second place finish at the USF Invitational and a team win at the Pacific Invitational, the Gaels went on to finish fifth at the WCC Championship in 2024. Riding that momentum, Saint Mary's then threw down their best ever performance at an NCAA Regional, placing 14th in the 31 team field. Four of the Gaels five top runners return in 2025 including top two finishers at both WCCs and Regionals, Zane Jackson and Jacob Moffett.
The full preseason poll can be seen below:
2025 West Coast Conference Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll
Team (first-place votes) points
1. Portland (6) 77
2. Washington State (3) 73
3. Gonzaga (1) 69
4. Santa Clara 53
5. Saint Mary's 48
6. San Francisco 44
7. Pacific 25
8. Pepperdine 24
9. Seattle 22
10. San Diego 15
#GaelsRise
After a stellar regular season that featured a second place finish at the USF Invitational and a team win at the Pacific Invitational, the Gaels went on to finish fifth at the WCC Championship in 2024. Riding that momentum, Saint Mary's then threw down their best ever performance at an NCAA Regional, placing 14th in the 31 team field. Four of the Gaels five top runners return in 2025 including top two finishers at both WCCs and Regionals, Zane Jackson and Jacob Moffett.
The full preseason poll can be seen below:
2025 West Coast Conference Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll
Team (first-place votes) points
1. Portland (6) 77
2. Washington State (3) 73
3. Gonzaga (1) 69
4. Santa Clara 53
5. Saint Mary's 48
6. San Francisco 44
7. Pacific 25
8. Pepperdine 24
9. Seattle 22
10. San Diego 15
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
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