INDIANAPOLIS--  The Walsh University Cavaliers were voted the Great Midwest preseason favorites for the 2022 season in a poll of the league’s head coaches. Walsh will look to win their fourth-straight title as seven all-conference athletes return for the Cavaliers.
 
In 2021, Walsh recorded a team total 2:04:14.00 in the 8K competition, including an average time of 24:51. The Cavaliers lose second-place finisher and the league’s top performer at nationals in Hunter Moore, but return dominant underclassmen in Nathan Moore, Drew Roberts, Zach Beneteau, and Drew Monahan. Moore was crowned Freshman of the Year after placing third in the conference meet. Not far behind him was sophomore Drew Roberts with a fourth place finish. Zach Beneteau, another Walsh standout, also returns after placing 10^th in the championship and earning First-Team All-Conference honors. Drew Monahan finished 89th at nationals last season and will add to the Cavalier's depth chart. A strength in numbers allowed the Cavaliers to punch their ticket to the Midwest Regional and National Championship as they placed 18^th out of 34 teams on the national stage.
 
The Cedarville Yellowjackets were voted second by coaches after earning runner-up status at the 8K meet and finishing 31^st at the National Championship last season. Evan Leist returns after leading the Yellowjackets during the 2021 season. Leist placed seventh at the G-MAC championship and earned First-Team All-Conference honors. First-Team selection Ramen Felumlee, along with several other runners, return for perennial conference power Cedarville.
 
Findlay was voted third, followed by Northwood. The Oilers return 2021 Great Midwest Runner of the Year Noah Fisher, who finished first at the conference meet and was named All-Midwest Region by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). Northwood standout, Zane Aldrich, ran a 30:09.00 10K to finish as an automatic qualifier last season.
 
Tiffin rounded out the top five followed by Hillsdale slotted in sixth.
 
On the Women’s side, Cedarville University received eight first place votes, making the Yellowjackets a preseason favorite. Under 2021 Coach of the Year Jeff Bolender, Cedarville will look to repeat as conference champions after finishing first in the 6K meet last season. The Yellowjackets had four student-athletes finish in the top 10, led by returner Bethany Sholl with a fifth place finish. Naomi Herman and Hannah Rhem, both First-Team All-Conference selections, also return for the defending champions. Cedarville placed third at regionals and qualified for nationals for the first time since 2016.
 
The Cavaliers from Walsh University were voted second in the preseason rankings. Walsh will miss 2021 Runner of the Year in Alexa Leppelmeier, but Freshman standout Teja Young returns for the Cavs. Young placed ninth in the conference meet, earning her a First-Team All-Conference status. Bridget Hahn returns for the Cavaliers as well after earning Second-Team All-Conference honors and placing 20^th in the 6K. Walsh will look to qualify for the NCAA Championship for the fourth straight year.
 
Hillsdale was voted third, followed by Findlay. The Chargers received two first place votes as they finished the 2021 season at 16^th in the country. Freshman Liz Wamsley finished third at the Great Midwest Championship with a 21:47.9 time in the 6K. Hillsdale also returns Second-Team All-Conference members Meg Scheske and Gwynne Riley. Gabrielle Lawrence of Findlay returns after recording one of the season’s best 6K times at 21:55.7 and placing 77^th at nationals.
 
Malone University is predicted fifth followed by Tiffin.
 
Great Midwest Cross Country is set to begin Thursday, September 1^st. The 2022 Cross Country champions will be crowned Saturday, November 5^th.