ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Drake cross country is ready to host the 2026 Missouri Valley Conference Championships at A.H. Blank Golf Course in Des Moines. The league announced the pre-championship poll ahead of Friday's action with both Drake men and women inside the top four.
 
The Bulldog men received 94 total points in the vote, just behind Illinois State in second and league favorite Bradley.
 
Drake's women's group narrowly missed the top three and landed in fourth. The Drake women had 85 total points, just after Indiana State with 96 points. Bradley's women also topped the poll as the two Braves squads received all 11 possible first place votes.
 
Championship racing will start on Friday morning at 10:30 a.m. with the women's 6k before the men's 8k at 11:30.
 
MEN
Number in parenthesis is first-place votes
1. Bradley (11) – 121 pts.
2. Illinois State – 106 pts.
3. Drake – 94 pts
 
WOMEN
Number in parenthesis is first-place votes
1. Bradley (11) – 121 pts. 
2. Illinois State – 110 pts. 
3. Indiana State – 96 pts. 
4. Drake – 85 pts