WATERVILLE, Maine - The 2025 North Atlantic Conference (NAC) champions, the University of Maine at Farmington women's cross country team, was picked to finish second at this Saturday's conference championship. Husson University received four of the five first-place votes to earn the top spot in the Coaches Poll.
Meet Overview and History
The women's championship race will feature five teams: UMaine-Farmington, Husson, the University of Maine at Presque Isle, Maine Maritime, and Lesley. Last year, four institutions competed for team scoring honors: Farmington, Husson, Thomas, and Presque Isle.
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.
The Beavers dominated the field en route to claiming the title last season, placing all five of their scoring runners in the top 15. Farmington was led by NAC Runner of the Year Lina Martinez Nocito (Mt. Vernon, Maine), who finished first overall, 52 seconds ahead of the runner-up.
Poll Results
- Husson University – 23 (4)
- UMaine-Farmington – 21 (1)
- UMaine-Presque Isle – 13
- Maine Maritime Academy – 11
- Lesley University – 7
Season at a Glance and Beaver Runners
The Beavers have enjoyed a successful 2026 campaign as they prepare to defend their NAC Championship on their home course this weekend. Farmington opened the season with a seventh-place finish at the NCAA East Regional Preview before placing second overall at the NAC Preview Meet. The Beavers also recorded an eighth-place finish at the Maine State Championship and a 25th-place finish at the highly competitive Keene State Invitational.
Farmington has once again been led by Martinez Nocito this season. Following a dominant junior campaign, the senior has continued her outstanding performance, earning NAC Runner of the Week honors three times. Martinez Nocito opened the season with a 13th-place finish at the East Regional Preview before dominating the field at the NAC Preview, finishing first overall and nearly 50 seconds ahead of the runner-up, her teammate Amelia Hill (Jaffrey, N.H.).
Hill, a first-year runner, has made an immediate impact in her debut season. She has earned NAC Rookie of the Week honors three times and has consistently been the Beavers' second finisher.
Throughout the regular season, first-year Annabelle Hanscom (Oakland, Maine), sophomore Heather Alexander (Orleans, Vt.), and senior Abby MacDonald (Bangor, Maine) have consistently rounded out Farmington's top five finishers. Tealah Ward (Winslow, Maine), who joined the team midway through the season, will also look to compete for a spot among the team's top five finishers.
