GORHAM, Maine – The Little East Conference announced the results of its preseason coaches' poll for women's cross country on Wednesday morning with the University of Southern Maine placing fifth. The Huskies had 38 points in the poll. Keene State College was voted as the conference favorite with 62 points and seven first place votes. Second place went to Eastern Connecticut State University with 58 points and the two remaining first place votes. The University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth finished third with 51 points while Plymouth State University was fourth with 41 points.
The Huskies have six of their top seven runners back from last season. Sophomore
Sam Fenley (Harlowton, Mont.) had the highest finish at the 2023 Little East Conference Championship Meet among the returning Huskies at 16th place. Fenley also placed 98th at the 2023 NCAA Division III East Regional Championships and was the second-fastest Husky in five of Southern Maine's six meets last fall.
Juniors
AnnMarie Limberger (Vassalboro, Maine/Waterville) and
Anabel Melanson (West Warren, Mass./Quaboag) also placed in the top 30 at the 2023 conference championship meet with Limberger finishing 24th and Melanson placing 29th. Fellow junior
Lucy Depolito (North Andover, Mass.) placed 31st.
Juniors
Alexis Karantza (Westbrook, Maine) and
Whitney Davenport (Westbrook, Maine) round out the returning runners from last season's top seven. Karantza placed 36th at the conference championship meet and Davenport placed 46th.
The Huskies and fifth-year head coach
Rob Whitten begin the season on September 7 at the Ron Ouellette Invitational hosted by the University of New England.
| 2024 Little East Conference Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll (FPV) |
| 1. |
Keene State |
62 points |
(7) |
| 2. |
Eastern Connecticut |
58 points |
(2) |
| 3. |
UMass Dartmouth |
51 points |
|
| 4 |
Plymouth State |
41 points |
|
| 5. |
Southern Maine |
38 points |
|
| 6. |
UMass Boston |
25 points |
|
| 7. |
Rhode Island College |
23 points |
|
| 8. |
VTSU-Castleton |
18 points |
|
| 9. |
Western Connecticut |
8 points |
1. Keene State - 62 (7)
2. Eastern Connecticut - 58 (2)
3. UMass Dartmouth - 51
4. Plymouth State - 41
5. Southern Maine - 38
6. UMass Boston - 25
7. Rhode Island College - 23
8. Vermont State Castleton - 18
9. Western Connecticut - 8
