INDIANAPOLIS – The Milwaukee women's cross country team was picked to finish fifth in the Horizon League preseason poll, while the men were slotted for the seventh spot.
 
WOMEN FIFTH
The women are aiming to capture their fifth Horizon League title in the past eight years, receiving 82 votes in the preseason poll. After finishing fifth at the Horizon League Championships a season ago, the Panthers are eager to reclaim control of the league this fall.
 
Leading the charge is Anelise Egge, who took first place at last year's Horizon League Championships and earned Horizon League Runner of the Year honors. Egge is the first panther to win the individual title since Meg Swietlik in 2020, and looks to repeat for the title. The team also brings back numerous key contributors in Rachel Helm, Ally Schmitz, and Anna Gallagher.
 

Place	Team	Points (First Place Votes)
1.	Robert Morris	111 (7)
2.	Youngstown State	102 (2)
3.	Oakland	99 (1)
4.	Purdue Fort Wayne	97 (1)
5.	Milwaukee	82
6.	IU Indy	67
7.	Northern Kentucky	48
8.	Detroit Mercy	40
9.	Green Bay	36
10.	Wright State	24
11.	Cleveland State	20

 
MEN SEVENTH
After finishing ninth a season ago at the Horizon League Championships, the men's team was picked to finish seventh out of the ten Horizon League teams as they look to climb up the standings.
 
The men bring back several familiar faces to the course, with Carter Eckhoff and Cullen Boyle leading the charge. The team also welcomes back key runners in Sam Schreiber and Lucas Picco.
 

Place	Team	Points (First Place Votes)
1.	Youngstown State	98 (8)
2.	IU Indy	86 (1)
3.	Oakland	73
4.	Green Bay	63
T5.	Northern Kentucky	55
T5.	Purdue Fort Wayne	55
7.	Milwaukee	38
8.	Wright State	34
9.	Detroit Mercy	31
10.	Robert Morris	17

 
The Panthers will be opening their season Saturday, Aug. 30, when they travel to Green Bay, Wis., for the Tom Barry Invitational hosted by St. Norbert.