WINTHROP, Mass. – With the 2024 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) cross country meet approaching on Saturday, Simmons cross country was tabbed sixth in the GNAC Pre-Championship Coaches Poll announced Wednesday afternoon.
 
The Sharks experience tremendous growth on the course over the fall season. At their last meet, the NEICAAAs in the Granite State, Simmons saw multiple personal- and season-best performances.
 
Junior Beth Pennington clocked a personal-best time of 27:05.14, clipping six seconds from her time in the race last year. First-year runner Wanda Cirillo led all Sharks runners finishing with a season-best time of 21:30.01, while sophomore Hannah Bergeron also posted a season-best time.
 
The 2024 GNAC Championship meet will commence at 11 a.m. on the campus of Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont on Saturday morning.

2024 GNAC Women's Cross Country Pre-Championship Coaches Poll
1. Colby Sawyer- 168 (10)
2. Johnson & Wales - 163 (2)
3. Norwich- 157
4. Emmanuel - 152 (1)
5. Regis – 128
6. SIMMONS- 122
7. Lasell – 117
8. Saint Joseph's (Maine) - 108 
9. Rivier – 91
10. Elms – 58
11. University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) - 51 (1)
12. New England College – 48
13. Mitchell – 47
14. Dean - 45