NEW ORLEANS – On the eve of the 2016 campaign, the Anderson University men's cross country team is ranked sixth in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) DII Preseason Regional Rankings, while the women's squad is tabbed seventh, as released Tuesday.
The men's squad, which was ranked ninth at the conclusion of last season, is one of three South Atlantic Conference teams in the USTFCCCA poll, along with
Mars Hill (second) and defending conference champion Queens (third). The preseason top four in the rankings were unchanged from last season's final poll, with perennial powerhouse Mount Olive topping the rankings.
Mars Hill and Queens followed, with UNC Pembroke in fourth. Flagler occupied the fifth spot, with AU holding the sixth slot. Young Harris (seventh), Augusta (eighth), Columbus State (ninth) and Georgia College (10th) rounded out the men's rankings.
The women's poll was identical to the final USTFCCCA rankings at the conclusion of the 2015 season, with the Montevallo women holding the top spot. Defending SAC champion Wingate is second, with Queens in the third slot. North Georgia and Flagler are fourth and fifth, respectively, with Mount Olive in sixth.
Anderson is seventh, with Columbus State, Young Harris and Augusta wrapping up the 10-team poll.
The South Atlantic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll is expected to be released Wednesday.
Anderson opens the season with partial squads on both sides competing in Friday's USC Upstate's Eye Opener.
