KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Western Michigan women's cross country team was picked third in the annual Mid-American Conference preseason poll, which was announced by the league this afternoon. The Broncos collected 87 points and garnered one first-place vote. 

Toledo topped the poll with 121 points and 11 first-place votes. The Rockets were followed by Ohio (101), WMU (87), Bowling Green (80), Central Michigan (78), Miami (75), UMass (74), Akron (57), Eastern Michigan (48), Ball State (34), Buffalo (26) and Kent State (11). 

WMU returns most of its roster from last season, including its entire scoring lineup from the MAC Championships. That features Lily Overton, Lara Machado Pereira, Kaelin Hughes, Ava Kurczewski and Larissa McGrath. Lillian Zelasko also returns after missing all of last season due to injury. She was a Second Team All-MAC honoree in 2024. 

The Broncos will open their season on Sept. 4 at the Jeff Drenth Memorial. The meet, hosted by Central Michigan, will being at 11 AM at the Shepherd High School Cross Country Course.