BRIDGEWATER, N.J. - FDU Men's Cross Country was picked fifth in the NEC Preseason Poll, per the conference's release Monday afternoon.

Defending champion CCSU was picked at the top of the poll grabbing five first place votes. Stonehill finished second in last year's NEC Championships as well as the 2026 preseason poll, achieving four first place votes. The rest of the poll is below. 

1. LIU (5)
2. Stonehill (4)
3. LIU
4. Wagner
T5. FDU
T5. Le Moyne
7. New Haven
8. Mercyhurst
9. Chicago State

The Knights finished in sixth place at the NEC Championships last year behind an All-NEC performance from Chase Lopez, who will headline the 2026 roster once again. The Knights will also bring back the supporting cast of Dylan Manning, Trevor Ehrlicher, Kidus Zeleke, and Sam Szczepanski, all of which competed in the 2025 NEC Championships.

The Knights return seven of the nine runners that took part in the NEC Championships last year, and will open their 2026 season at Lincoln Park in Jersey City, meeting with Saint Peter's in a dual meet.