Two-time defending champion Christopher Newport was chosen as the preseason favorite to once again sit atop the conference this fall, as the Captains received seven first-place votes and totaled 79 points to lead the way in a vote of the CAC women's cross country coaches.

Mary Washington finished second in the preseason poll with three first-place votes and 72 points, followed by York (68 points), Salisbury (54 points) and Frostburg State (45 points) in the top five.

Wesley totaled 37 points to claim sixth place, with St. Mary's (34 points) and Marymount (33 points) close behind in seventh and eighth, respectively. Rounding out the poll were Southern Virginia (17 points) and Penn State Harrisburg (11 points).

CNU made history last fall by becoming the first team in conference history to qualify for a national championship meet following a second-place finish at the South/Southeast Regional. A contingent of seven Captains and three other CAC individuals competed at NCAA's, which set a new conference record for most national championship participants.

A strong group of runners are back throughout the conference this year, as 12 of the 16 All-CAC performers at last season's championship return. While there will be a number of familiar faces on the courses this fall, one long-time familiar face will no longer be there – Mary Washington's Stan Soper. After 31 years at the helm of the UMW program, Soper retired after the 2015 campaign, making the way for Kunle Lawson to take over as head coach.

St. Mary's will serve as the host of the CAC Championships for the first time this fall. The championship meet is slated for Saturday, Oct. 31.

Below is a brief look at each team heading into the 2015 season, which begins for several teams on Tuesday, Sept. 1.  

After making history during the 2014 campaign, CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT is looking to continue setting a new standard for success in 2015. Last year, in addition to claiming their second straight CAC title, the Captains qualified for the NCAA Championships for the first time in program history. Matthew Barreau's squad will be headlined by fourth-year standout Lydia Cromwell and reigning CAC Freshman of the Year, Hannah Bullen.

Senior Gabbi Maher, junior Laurie Gotte and sophomore Faith Thackston return to lead the 2015 version of FROSTBURG STATE. Maher posted back-to-back ninth-place showings a season ago at the Pitt-Greensburg Invitational (20:13.7) and the Hood College Open (25:59.1). She was also Frostburg State's second finisher at the CAC Championships. Thackston posted a season-best 11th-place finish (20:32.5) at the Pitt-Greensburg Invitational, while Gotte joins the cross country team after concentrating on track & field for her first two years as a Bobcat.

An experienced MARYMOUNT team looks to finish some unfinished business from the 2014 season. Senior Payton Bodecker returns after improving twelve places from the 2013 CAC Championships in 2014, but fell twenty seconds short of earning an All-CAC spot. Senior Charlotte Knopf and sophomore Brooke Saunders will also be looking to beat their personal best and improve their standings in the CAC Championship.

Senior NCAA Championships qualifier Lauren Braney leads a veteran group for new head coach Kunle Lawson and MARY WASHINGTON that includes returners Claudia Autore, Marin Bader, Colleen Boyle, Caroline Cerand, Victoria Parent, Sam Park, and Amada Patterson. The Eagles will look to use this veteran group, complemented by a strong freshman class, to return to the top of the CAC standings come championship time.

PENN STATE HARRISBURG's first two years in the CAC were a tough adjustment, but with junior returners Rachel Sechrist and Katlin Gould the Lions hope to make 2015 different.  Ashley Peart and a new home course plan to bring a new spark and set a new standard for the upcoming season.

ST. MARY'S will serve as the host site of the CAC Championships in 2015 for the first time since the Seahawks went varsity six years ago. This season's preparation will include the 2nd Annual Seahawk Invitational as well as a new meet, Osprey Open, hosted by Stockton University. Grace Humphries andLilly Gaehde will feature as the team's top runners while six newcomers will look to push the veterans and contribute valuable points.

Senior Laura Hartman will pace a youthful group for SALISBURY that will attempt to turn some heads in the CAC. Hartman missed the first half of 2014 due to injury, but still returned to score for the Sea Gulls in the CAC championship and traveled for the NCAA Mideast Regional. Sophomore Jessica Lane was one of the top runners for the Sea Gulls in 2014, finishing in Salisbury's top two on six different occasions, and leading the way at the University of Delaware Invitational, placing in the top 10 overall, and she was also the team's top finisher at the NCAA regional. Sophomores Taylor Nantz, Alison Schwartz, and Emily Plunkett return with a valuable year of experience under their belt. 

SOUTHERN VIRGINIA looks to make good waves this year with the return of Rylee McKeon, who earned CAC Athlete of the Week honors last year.  Returning from a mission is Leah Huber, who earned CAC honors in 2012. With a lot of first year runners the Knights hope to open some eyes as the year progresses.

WESLEY comes into 2015 off of a strong campaign last fall. Dieunise Desir became just the fourth Wolverine in program history to earn multiple All-Conference selections, finishing 16th in the CAC Championships to nab the honor in 2014. Wesley hopes to improve upon their sixth place finish in 2014 and crack the top five in the CAC standings.

YORK begins the 2015 season as a young but talented squad. Senior Jenna Roberts will lead the Spartans as the Green and White are coming off a third place finish at last year's championships. Roberts, a second-team All-CAC honoree last year, is joined by junior Kasey Fogelsanger who also earned a second team finish last year. Alicia Dillman and Kathleeen Cannon are a pair of runners who head coach Stephen LoBianco expects to run in the front of the Spartan pack. The Spartans also welcome in a solid freshman class, a few of which have the ability to be running near the front for York. The Spartans will face a reworked schedule this year as four new events dot the upcoming schedule including trips to St. Mary's, Lock Haven, Rowan, and Lebanon Valley.

2015 CAC Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll