NEW ORLEANS – On the eve of the 2018 campaign, the Anderson University women's cross country team is ranked third in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) DII Preseason Regional Rankings, while the men's squad is tabbed fourth, as released Tuesday afternoon.
The women's squad, which was selected second in the South Atlantic Conference Coaches' Preseason Poll, is one of four South Atlantic Conference teams in the USTFCCCA poll, along with top-ranked Queens, Wingate (fifth) and Lincoln Memorial (10th). AU was ranked second in last season's final poll.
Led by North Georgia at No. 4, the Peach Belt Conference placed five teams in the rankings. Augusta checked in at No. 6, with Flagler in seventh place. Georgia College claimed the eighth slot, with UNC Pembroke taking ninth. Mount Olive, at No. 2, was the sole Conference Carolinas representative on the women's side.
The men's poll was slightly more balanced, with five schools from the SAC, four from the Peach Belt and Mount Olive again from Conference Carolinas.
Queens also led the way among men's squads, with UMO holding the second spot. Augusta claimed third place in the poll, while AU was at No. 4. Mars Hill checked in at No. 5, with Wingate sixth.
Columbus State made an appearance at No. 7, while Georgia College, UNC Pembroke and LMU rounded out the top-10. The Trojans were No. 4 in last season's final rankings.
Anderson opens the season Saturday, Sept. 15 at the Furman Cross Country Classic.
