The South Atlantic Conference announced the 2023 Preseason Coaches’ Cross Country Poll. Both the Lenoir-Rhyne Men’s and Women’s Teams were predicted to finish fourth this season. Both teams garnered 110 votes as Wingate was selected to finished first in both polls receiving 12 of the 13 votes.

In addition, Jacob Parkinson and Paige Ewald were named to the 2023 SAC Cross County Runners to watch list.

Both teams will open the 2023 campaign with the LR SAC Preview on September 9th. The race will be held at Southside Park in Newton. Southside Park will also be the host of the 2023 SAC Championship on October 21st.

2023 SAC Men’s Cross Country Preseason Poll

Rank School (First Place Votes) Score
1 Wingate (12) 144
2 Catawba (1) 130
3 Anderson 125
4 Lenoir-Rhyne 110
5 Carson-Newman 98
6 Lincoln Memorial 91
7 Limestone 75
8 Emory & Henry 60
9 Tusculum 57
10 UVA Wise 42
11 Mars Hill 33
12 Newberry 32
13 Coker 17
2023 SAC Women’s Cross Country Preseason Poll

Rank School (First Place Votes) Score
1 Wingate (12) 144
2 Catawba (1) 128
3 Anderson 127
4 Lenoir-Rhyne 110
5 Carson-Newman 99
6 Lincoln Memorial 90
7 Limestone 69
8 Emory & Henry 65
9 Tusculum 50
10 UVA Wise 48
11 Mars Hill 40
12 Newberry 28
13 Coker 18