LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) released the 2019 Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll on Tuesday morning. The poll, which was voted on by the league's head coaches, saw the Bronc men land in eighth with 52 points and the women were also tabbed eighth with 55 points.
 
"We have not lived up to our own standards the last few years in the MAAC Championships and this poll result reflects that," Rider Head Coach Bob Hamer said. "However, we have a much improved team in our eyes this year and we are excited for the opportunity to compete and move up in the final standings."
 
The Iona men topped the poll with 121 points and all 11 first-place votes. Siena (101 points) was selected second behind the Gaels, while Monmouth (91 points) rounded out the top-three. Quinnipiac (85 points) was voted in fourth-place and in fifth was Marist (76 points).
 
On the men's side, Manhattan (72 points) landed in sixth and the Jaspers were followed by Canisius (55 points). The Golden Griffs edged the Broncs by just three points with Fairfield (38 points), Niagara (24 points) and Saint Peter's (11 points) rounding out the poll.
 
The Iona women also were tabbed first in the poll with 120 points and 10 of a possible 11 first-place votes. Marist (105 points) came in second with Siena (93 points) in third. Quinnipiac (91 points) sat in fourth-place and Monmouth (71 points) was in fifth.
 
On the women's side, Manhattan (65 points) was picked sixth followed by Canisius (58 points) in seventh and Rider in eighth. The Griffs edged the Broncs by three points. Rounding out the poll was Fairfield (33 points), Niagara (24 points) and Saint Peter's (11) points.
 
The Rider men and women open the 2019 season on Saturday, September 7, as the Broncs head to Albany, New York to compete in the Siena Invitational at the Crossings at Colonie.  
 

2019 MAAC Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll
1.	Iona	121 points
2.	Siena	101 points
3.	Monmouth	91 points
4.	Quinnipiac	85 points
5.	Marist	76 points
6.	Manhattan	72 points
7.	Canisius	55 points
8.	Rider	52 points
9.	Fairfield	38 points
10.	Niagara	24 points
11.	Saint Peter's	11 points

 

2019 MAAC Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll
1.	Iona	120 points
2.	Marist	105 points
3.	Siena	93 points
4.	Quinnipiac	91 points
5.	Monmouth	71 points
6.	Manhattan	65 points
7.	Canisius	58 points
8.	Rider	55 points
9.	Fairfield	33 points
10.	Niagara	24 points
11.	Saint Peter's	11 points