EDISON, N.J. – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) has announced the preseason polls for Men's and Women's Cross Country, as voted upon by the league's 11 head coaches. Fairfield University was tabbed for eighth place on both ledgers. The 2023 season begins on Saturday, Sept. 2 at the Marist Season Opener in Poughkeepsie.
 
In the men's poll, Fairfield garnered 42 points to edge Quinnipiac for eighth place. The Stags also topped Niagara and Saint Peter's on the preseason table. As expected, perennial league champion Iona claimed all 11 first-place votes as the favorite to win the program's 33rd consecutive MAAC Championship. Siena and Marist round out the top three.
 
The Stags' women also landed in eighth place, ahead of Mount St. Mary's, Niagara and Saint Peter's. Defending champion Quinnipiac claimed 110 points and seven first-place votes to clip Iona by a single point for the top spot. The Gaels grabbed three first-place votes and the remaining one went to third-place Siena.
 
Next Saturday's meet is the first of five regular season outings for the Stags in preparation for the 2023 MAAC Championship. The conference-wide meet is slated for Saturday, Oct. 28 at Twin Ponds on the Farm in Montgomery, N.Y.