EDISON, N.J. – ­With only a few weeks left until the 2022 cross country season is off and running, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) has announced its annual preseason coaches' poll with Fairfield University men's cross country tabbed to finish ninth in the conference.

Defending MAAC champion Iona was unanimously selected as the favorites to claim this season's title, earning all 11 first place votes, as the Gaels look to extend their NCAA record, 31 consecutive conference titles streak. Amongst the teams looking to dethrone Iona in October include Siena (108 points) who finished third at the MAAC championships behind the Gaels and former conference member, Monmouth, were the only other team to score triple digit points in the poll, and selected to finish second overall.

Rider rounds out the top three in the poll after coming in fifth at last seasons championships, claiming 88 points, narrowly edging both Manhattan (84), who finished just ahead of the Broncs in 2021, and Marist (80). A two-way tie for sixth was claimed by both Canisius and the newest member of the MAAC, Mount St. Mary's, followed by Quinnipiac and the Stags, with Niagara and St. Peter's rounding out the poll.

Under the direction of first year head coach Jake Duckworth, Fairfield men's cross country opens the 2022 campaign on Sept. 10 when they head to Loudonville, N.Y. for the Siena Invitational.