ROCK HILL, S.C. – The Anderson University women's cross-country team has been picked second in the 2022 South Atlantic Conference preseason coaches' poll, announced by the league office on Wednesday (Aug. 17) morning.

Wingate topped the poll with a total of 144 points, and 12 of the 13 first-place votes. The Anderson Trojans came in second with 126 points, with Lenoir-Rhyne at third with 123 points and the final first-place vote. Catawba's 112 points finished fourth in the poll, with Lincoln Memorial the final school to earn over 100 points at 101 to finish fifth.

"Our goal is to qualify both teams to the NCAA National Championship meet. To do that, we must finish top-3 within the region," said Eagle. "With nationals being in Seattle this year as part of the festival, I would love to bring both teams to compete. On a conference level, I know that both teams can finish top-two if we execute the race plan properly. "

Whitney Hanson and Elise Matthews were named athletes to watch in the conference release after an impressive 2021 campaign in which the Trojans clinched a berth in the NCAA National Championships for the third time in program history. Both Hanson and Matthews were named to the USTFCCA All-Region team last season.

Hanson, a senior from Colstrip, MT, excelled in her first season in the black and gold. Hanson ran personal best times in the 5k (17:45) and the 6k (22:02.6) last year.

Matthews, a junior from Piedmont, S.C., also set personal best times in the 5k (18:34) and 6k (23:08.3) last season. Both Hanson and Matthews' 6k times came at the NCAA Division II Southeast Region XC Championships.

"Our women have qualified for the NCAA Championship meet 3 of the last 4 years that the meet has been held," said Eagle. "We are looking to continue this trend each year, but also look to finish higher than we have in the final standings. With only losing one runner who competed at the national meet last year, we have a great squad returning who now has experience on the national stage. We also have a strong class of freshmen coming in who should contribute right away. If all goes to plan, this women's team can be a top 25 team in the NCAA."

The 2022 campaign begins for the Trojans on Sept. 17 at the Converse Kick-Off Classic in Spartanburg, S.C. hosted by Converse University. Results can be found at www.autrojans.com.

Full SAC release