HAVERFORD, Pa. – The Haverford College men's cross country team will enter the 2026 season ranked No. 32 nationally in the D3 Glory Days preseason rankings.

The national recognition comes as the Fords prepare for a promising campaign in the Metro Region. Haverford was also recently picked second in the Centennial Conference preseason poll, receiving 56 points and one first-place vote behind defending conference champion Johns Hopkins.

Senior Simon Lane headlines a strong group of returners for the Scarlet and Black, joined by Owen Bluman, Cole Branstrom, Luke de Valpine and Wade Garoutte. Lane is coming off a standout 2025 cross country season in which he qualified for the NCAA Division III Championships while earning USTFCCCA All-Metro Region and First-team All-Centennial Conference honors.

The Fords also carried significant momentum through the track & field season, with four returning runners breaking 15 minutes in the 5,000 meters. Lane highlighted the group with a 3:46 performance in the 1,500 meters, finishing sixth in the outdoor championship final.

Haverford will look to return to the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships as a team for the first time since 2023. The Fords had previously qualified as a team for 26 consecutive NCAA Championships before that streak came to an end.

The 2026 season begins on Saturday, September 5, when Haverford hosts the annual Alumni/Open Race at 5:30 p.m. at the Fran Rizzo Cross Country Course. The Fords will also have the opportunity to race for a conference title on their home course when Haverford hosts the Centennial Conference Championship on Saturday, October 31.

Fans are encouraged to keep up with HaverfordAthletics.com and follow @HCFords_Sports on X for the latest schedule updates and competition news.