Chico State and Stanislaus State each received five first-place votes in the CCAA women's cross country preseason coaches poll, but it was the Wildcats that earned the nod as the early favorites heading into the 2022 season.
 
Chico State collected 109 points in the coaches poll to edge out Stanislaus State 109-103. The Wildcats are coming off another strong finish in 2021. They placed second at the 2021 CCAA Championships and earned a spot at nationals for the 21st consecutive season with a third-place finish at the regional. Chico State will be led by a trio of returning All-CCAA selections; Gracie Dupuis, Hannah Ryan, and Marissa D'Atri.

 

2022 Women's Cross Country Poll
1.	Chico State (5)	109
2.	Stanislaus State (5)	103
3.	Cal State San Marcos	97
4.	Cal Poly Pomona	88
5.	Cal State East Bay	76
6.	Cal Poly Humboldt (1)	64
7.	Cal State Monterey Bay	58
8.	Cal State San Bernardino	38
9.	San Francisco State	35
10.	Sonoma State	32
11.	Cal State LA	26
First-place votes in parenthesis

Stanislaus State is the defending CCAA Champions. The Warriors captured the program's first conference title in 2021 with a 38-point performance in the championships. They carried that momentum to a second-place finish at regionals and an appearance in the NCAA Championships. CCAA Newcomer and Runner of the Year Kaela Dishion and CCAA Freshman of the Year Katarina Borchin will be back to lead a young Warriors squad.
 
Despite the other two teams receiving all the first-place votes, Cal State San Marcos was right behind in the polls with 97 points. They are coming off a third-place finish at the CCAA Championships and a sixth-place finish in the regional. As many as 18 letterwinners, including All-CCAA selections Renee Laurenzana, Natalie Schroeder and Carly Schuerger could return for the Cougars.
 
Cal Poly Pomona finished fourth in the preseason poll with 88 points. Seven letterwinners return on a Broncos' roster that features just two upperclassmen. However, one of those returning upperclassmen is All-CCAA selection, Samantha Aguilar.
 
Chase Worthen and six more letterwinners return for a Cal State East Bay team that finished fifth in the poll with 76 points.
 
Cal Poly Humboldt picked up the remaining first-place vote and was picked to finish sixth with 64 points. The Jacks will bring back two All-CCAA selections, Rosa Granados and Saedy Williamson.
 
The 2022 CCAA Championship host, Cal State Monterey Bay, placed seventh in the polls with 58 points. Seven experienced runners return for the Otters in 2022.
 
It was a very tight race for the eighth spot as three teams finished within six points. Cal State San Bernardino earned the nod for eighth place with 38 points. San Francisco State followed with 32 points, and Sonoma State finished 10th with 32 points. Cal State LA (26 points) rounded out the list.
 
The CCAA is again expected to be the best women's cross country conference in the West Region. Four CCAA teams were listed in the top 10 on the USTFCCCA/Division II rankings, which were released earlier this week. Stanislaus State sits second, one place ahead of Chico State. Cal State San Marcos was voted to the No. 6 position, and Cal State East Bay earned the 10th and final spot. Click here to see the complete USTFCCCA regional rankings.
 
The USFTCCCA also released its national rankings on Tuesday, and three CCAA teams were listed among the nation's elite. Stanislaus State is ranked No. 11, followed by Chico State at No. 17. Cal State San Marcos made the list at No. 27. Click here to see the complete USTFCCCA preseason poll.
 
The 2022 season starts with six of the 11 teams in action this weekend. Cal State LA and Cal State San Marcos compete at the Mark Covert Classic in Brea, while Cal State East Bay and Stanislaus State compete in the USF Invitational. Cal Poly Pomona will be at the Redlands Invitational, and Sonoma State will host its own invitational. Preseason favorites, Chico State, will open its season on Sept. 24 at the Cougar Challenge hosted by Cal State San Marcos. Click here to see the composite 2022 CCAA women's cross country schedule.
 
All 11 teams will come together to compete for the 2022 CCAA Championship, hosted by Cal State Monterey Bay, on Nov. 5. This will be the first meet of the postseason with NCAA West Regionals following two weeks later (Nov. 19) in Billings, Mont.
 
CCAA Preseason Watchlist (returning All-CCAA selections)
Kaela Dishion, Stanislaus State
Sabrina Garcia, Stanislaus State
Gracie Dupuis, Chico State
Renee Laurenzana, Cal State San Marcos
Hannah Ryan, Chico State
Marissa D'Atri, Chico State
Nancy Juarez, Stanislaus State
Saedy Williamson, Cal Poly Humboldt
Rosa Granados, Cal Poly Humboldt
Iris Carrillo, Stanislaus State
Chase Worthen, Cal State East Bay
Samantha Aguilar, Cal Poly Pomona
Natalie Schroeder, Cal State San Marcos
Carly Schuerger, Cal State San Marcos