ROCK HILL, S.C. – After finishing as runners-up at last season's NCAA Southeast Regional and earning the program's first-ever appearance in the NCAA Championships a season ago, the Anderson women's cross country team has been predicted to finish second in the 2018 SAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, as released by the league office Wednesday morning.
Through the top eight spots, the coaches' poll mirrored the results from the 2017 SAC Championships, with Mars Hill and Coker flipping between the ninth and 10th slots.
Queens, the two-time defending conference champion, was tabbed to claim its third consecutive title after knocking off three-time defending champion Wingate two seasons ago. The defending NCAA Southeast Region Champions return seven all-conference performers, including SAC Runner of the Year Hannah Wolkenhauer and Freshman of the Year Gillian Kasitz. The Trojans, who finished second at last year's SAC Championships following third-place finishes in 2014, 2015 and 2016, collected one first-place vote.
Wingate was close behind at No. 3 with 94 points. The Bulldogs also claimed third in the 2017 SAC Championships. Catawba claimed fourth in the preseason poll with 75 points. Lincoln Memorial and Lenoir-Rhyne tied for fifth with 71 points in the poll. Tusculum took the No. 7 spot with 54 points. Carson-Newman was No. 8 in the poll, earning 49 points from the coaches. In the No. 9 spot was Mars Hill with 33 points, while Coker (29 points) and Newberry (22 points) wrapped up the preseason standings at No. 10 and No. 11, respectively.
Overall, fifteen of the top 21 runners from last year's SAC Championship are returning for the 2018 season.
With five upperclassmen and three all-conference performers among 10 returning letterwinners from a season ago, second-year head coach Kevin Eagle's veteran Trojans are poised for yet another stellar campaign this fall.
Senior standout Allyson Malone earned All-South Atlantic Conference and All-Region honors last season, while fellow senior Abigail Bozarth also garnered All-Region accolades. Sophomore Olivia Evans took home both All-Conference and All-Region honors.
Anderson will get the season underway, Saturday, Sept. 15 at the Furman Cross Country Classic.
2018 SAC Preseason Women's Cross Country Coaches' Poll
Rank School Total
1. Queens (10) 110
2. Anderson (1) 98
3. Wingate 94
4. Catawba 75
T-5. Lincoln Memorial71
T-5. Lenoir-Rhyne 71
7. Tusculum 54
8. Carson-Newman 49
9. Mars Hill 33
10. Coker 29
11. Newberry 22
