SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Samford cross country team was picked to finish in second place on the women's side and third on the men's side in the Southern Conference as the league office released its preseason poll today. The voting was done by coaches in the conference.

Coming off a runner-up finish last season, the Samford women's team was picked to finish second place to Furman, who received all but their first-place vote, which came to the Bulldogs. The Dogs return SoCon Freshman Runner of the Year Felicity Hamilton, who finished in 16th at last season's conference championship meet. Samford will replace their other four point scorers from that meet as they brought in four newcomers in transfer Jess Edwards from Florida, and three freshmen, Gaby Boutros, Sophia Boutros, and Abi Cobb. 

On the men's side, the Bulldogs bring back their top five runners from last season, which came in fourth place at the SoCon Championship. Andrew McGinnis and William Jordan each finished in the top 20 at the meet, while David Brown came in 24th. The Dogs will look for a jump from rising sophomores Arthur Langley and Stephen Jones, who each finished inside the top-35 last season.

2025 Southern Conference Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll 
Team (1st-place votes) Points 

1. Furman (9) - 81 
2. Samford (1) - 71  
3. Chattanooga - 63 
4. ETSU - 56  
5. Mercer - 46 
6. Western Carolina - 44 
7. UNC Greensboro - 36 
8. VMI - 23 
9. Wofford - 19  
10.  The Citadel - 11 

2025 Southern Conference Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll 
Team (1st-place votes) Points 

1. Furman (9) - 81 
2. Western Carolina (1) - 65 
3. Samford - 62  
4. UNC Greensboro - 56 
5.  Mercer - 45  
6. ETSU - 42  
7. Chattanooga - 41  
8. VMI - 28  
9. Wofford - 19  
10. The Citadel - 11 

The Bulldogs enter their second season under head coach Wes Penberthy and open their season next week when they head to the Foothills Invitational on August 29, hosted by Jacksonville State.

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