The University of Charleston Golden Eagles have been tabbed to repeat as Mountain East Conference Men's and Women's Cross Country Champions, following a vote by the league's head coaches. Both teams received the maximum number of points (81) and received nine first-place votes. 

MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY 
The men's cross-country team are four-time defending champions, three-time Atlantic Region Champions, and placed 14th at the NCAA Cross Country Nationals last season. 

A key returner this season is All-American Joao Pereira, who placed 23rd at the NCAA National Championship. Pereira was also the highest individual performer at the NCAA Championships in MEC history. Alongside Pereira are All-Region runners Thomas Termote, Noah Revels, and All-MEC runner Warren Thiel. The Golden Eagles look forward to adding several newcomers including Zane Chalker, Matthys Bourse, Corey Schobelock, and Emmanuel Yego. 

On the season ahead, Coach Bias said, "I'm looking forward to seeing the returners mesh well with the incoming runners to help us continue the success the previous teams have established." 

WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY 
Two-time defending MEC Champions return six of the top seven runners this season. After qualifying for the NCAA XC National Championship for the first time in program history, the women's team placed 29th on the big stage in 2021. 

A returning asset to the program for this season is 2021 MEC Freshman of the Year and 2021 Atlantic Region Athlete of the Year, Elise Leveel. Leveel is joined by 2021 All-Region Mercy Jepleting and newcomers Julie LaFare and Indiyah Spetnagel. Key returners also include Lily Dowdell, Madison Woolwine, Lia Markert, and Flora Tissier. 

"I'm excited to see the women's team continue to make huge steps in the success they have earned. They are poised to have another amazing season and continue their rise to national prominence," said Head Coach Nick Bias. 

Both teams travel to Virginia Tech on September 2nd to compete in their season opener.