WALTHAM, Mass. – The Bentley women's cross country team is expected to remain among the Northeast 10's top three teams in 2026, according to this week's NE10 Coaches Preseason Poll.

The Falcons won the program's first NE10 title in 2024, and they finished second in the 2025 NE10 Championship.

Bentley's key returners include juniors Lily Tedford and Samantha Doran, both of whom ran in the 2025 NCAA Women's Cross Country Championship in Wisconsin.

Tedford placed fourth in last year's NE10 Championship, finishing the 6k with a time of 23:47. Doran was close behind by placing fifth with a time of 23:49.3.

Bentley also returns senior Molly Capece. She placed 11^th in last year's conference championship by crossing the finish line in 24:40.

The 2026 season begins with the Wellesley Invitational, Sept. 4. The New England Championship is Oct. 9 at the Hopkinton State Fair Grounds in New Hampshire. The NE10 Championship is on the Bethpage Polo Grounds in Bethpage, N.Y., Nov. 7.