SoCon Releases Preseason Cross-Country Poll
9.3.26 | Cross Country
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference released its preseason cross-country polls on Thursday, and the Samford women were picked to finish third, while the men's team was tabbed to come in fifth.
On the women's side, Furman was picked to win the league with 98 points and eight first-place votes. Mercer was picked second with 81 points and two first-place votes, while Samford was tabbed third with 73 points and one first-place vote. Samford was followed by Chattanooga (70), Western Carolina (62), Tennessee Tech (59), ETSU (56), UNC Greensboro (39), VMI (32), Wofford (21) and The Citadel (14).
In the men's poll, Furman was tabbed to win the league with 100 points and 10 first-place votes. ETSU received 79 points and the remaining first-place vote to come in second. ETSU was followed by UNC Greensboro (74), Chattanooga (68), Samford (57), Tennessee Tech (53), Mercer (51), Western Carolina (49), VMI (34), The Citadel (21) and Wofford (19).
The Samford women's team returns eight runners from last year's team, while the men return five members from last season. Both Samford teams finished fifth at last season's SoCon Championships. Among the returners on the women's team is first-team All-SoCon member Felicity Hamilton. On the men's side, William Jordan returns after earning second-team All-SoCon honors last season.
The Bulldogs will open the 2026 season on Friday, Sept. 4, when the Bulldogs compete in the Foothills Invitational, hosted by Jacksonville State in Oxford, Ala. The meet is set to begin at 8:30 a.m.
Women's Preseason Poll
1. Furman (8) - 98
2. Mercer (2) - 81
3. Samford (1) - 73
4. Chattanooga - 70
5. Western Carolina - 62
6. Tennessee Tech - 59
7. ETSU - 56
8. UNC Greensboro - 39
9. VMI - 32
10. Wofford - 21
11. The Citadel - 14
Men's Preseason Poll
1. Furman (10) - 100
2. ETSU (1) - 79
3. UNC Greensboro - 74
4. Chattanooga - 68
5. Samford - 57
6. Tennessee Tech - 53
7. Mercer - 51
8. Western Carolina - 49
9. VMI - 34
10. The Citadel - 21
11. Wofford - 19
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS:
For the latest news and information on Samford Cross Country, visitSPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference released its preseason cross-country polls on Thursday, and the Samford women were picked to finish third, while the men's team was tabbed to come in fifth. the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordSports (Facebook), @SamfordXC_TF (Twitter), and @samfordxctf (Instagram).
On the women's side, Furman was picked to win the league with 98 points and eight first-place votes. Mercer was picked second with 81 points and two first-place votes, while Samford was tabbed third with 73 points and one first-place vote. Samford was followed by Chattanooga (70), Western Carolina (62), Tennessee Tech (59), ETSU (56), UNC Greensboro (39), VMI (32), Wofford (21) and The Citadel (14).
In the men's poll, Furman was tabbed to win the league with 100 points and 10 first-place votes. ETSU received 79 points and the remaining first-place vote to come in second. ETSU was followed by UNC Greensboro (74), Chattanooga (68), Samford (57), Tennessee Tech (53), Mercer (51), Western Carolina (49), VMI (34), The Citadel (21) and Wofford (19).
The Samford women's team returns eight runners from last year's team, while the men return five members from last season. Both Samford teams finished fifth at last season's SoCon Championships. Among the returners on the women's team is first-team All-SoCon member Felicity Hamilton. On the men's side, William Jordan returns after earning second-team All-SoCon honors last season.
The Bulldogs will open the 2026 season on Friday, Sept. 4, when the Bulldogs compete in the Foothills Invitational, hosted by Jacksonville State in Oxford, Ala. The meet is set to begin at 8:30 a.m.
Women's Preseason Poll
1. Furman (8) - 98
2. Mercer (2) - 81
3. Samford (1) - 73
4. Chattanooga - 70
5. Western Carolina - 62
6. Tennessee Tech - 59
7. ETSU - 56
8. UNC Greensboro - 39
9. VMI - 32
10. Wofford - 21
11. The Citadel - 14
Men's Preseason Poll
1. Furman (10) - 100
2. ETSU (1) - 79
3. UNC Greensboro - 74
4. Chattanooga - 68
5. Samford - 57
6. Tennessee Tech - 53
7. Mercer - 51
8. Western Carolina - 49
9. VMI - 34
10. The Citadel - 21
11. Wofford - 19
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS:
For the latest news and information on Samford Cross Country, visitSPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference released its preseason cross-country polls on Thursday, and the Samford women were picked to finish third, while the men's team was tabbed to come in fifth. the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordSports (Facebook), @SamfordXC_TF (Twitter), and @samfordxctf (Instagram).
Players Mentioned
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
Monday, September 07
Friday, September 04
Wednesday, September 02
Monday, August 31
