WATERVILLE, Maine - The North Atlantic Conference (NAC) office announced the results of the 2026 Pre-Championship Coaches Poll on Thursday afternoon, with the University of Maine at Farmington men's cross country team picked to finish first overall at this weekend's NAC Championship. If the poll results hold true, the Beavers would claim their fourth consecutive conference championship.
Meet Overview and History
The men's championship race will feature six teams: UMaine-Farmington, Husson, Thomas, the University of Maine at Presque Isle, Maine Maritime, and Lesley. Last year's race featured seven teams, but Vermont State University Lyndon will not compete in this year's championship.
Team scoring will be determined by each school's top five finishers. Runners earn points based on their finishing positions, and each team's five scores are added together to determine the final standings, with the lowest score earning the championship.
Farmington edged out Thomas College at last year's championship to complete its three-peat. The Beavers placed all five of their scoring runners in the top 11 and finished with a combined time of 2:24:55.
Poll Results
- UMaine-Farmington – 35 (5)
- Thomas College – 29 (1)
- Maine Maritime Academy – 25
- Husson University – 14
- UMaine-Presque Isle – 13
- Lesley University – 10
Season at a Glance and Beaver Runners
The Beavers have enjoyed a phenomenal regular season, continuing their dominance from recent years. Farmington opened its 2026 campaign with a third-place finish at the NCAA East Regional Preview at the Wainwright Sports Complex in South Portland, Maine, on September 5. The following weekend, the Beavers dominated the field at the NAC Preview Meet, which they hosted. Farmington posted a perfect score, with its five scoring runners finishing first through fifth overall.
Farmington continued its successful season with a sixth-place finish at the Maine State Championship at Bowdoin College, followed by a ninth-place finish at the Keene State Invitational against a highly competitive field.
Individually, Farmington has been led by first-year standout Mason Tomboni (Selma, Ind.), who has earned NAC Runner of the Week honors twice and NAC Rookie of the Week honors three times this season. Tomboni opened his collegiate career with a third-place finish at the East Regional Preview before following it up with a first-place finish at the NAC Preview.
Senior Andrew LaFlamme (Nashua, N.H.), who placed second overall at last year's championship, has continued to be a key contributor for Farmington this season. LaFlamme finished 16th at the East Regional Preview and second overall at the NAC Preview. He will once again look to help lead the Beavers to a conference title.
The trio of junior Alexander Gagnon (Goffstown, N.H.), sophomore Samuel Perkins (Jay, Maine), and first-year Levi Riggs (Georgetown, Maine) have consistently rounded out Farmington's top five scoring runners this season. Senior Ethan Linscott (Lakeville, Maine) will look to build on his strong performance at last year's championship, where he finished eighth overall and earned First Team All-Conference honors. Sophomore Hans Bakke (York, Maine) could also factor into Farmington's top five. Bakke earned Second Team All-Conference honors last season after placing 13th at the championship.
