USA South releases preseason cross country polls

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  – The USA South Athletic Conference released its men's and women's preseason cross country polls on Wednesday.

The Huntingdon men are seventh and the Huntingdon women are 12th. This will be the first year of competition for both teams since 2012. Piedmont, the defending conference champion for the men and women, is first in both polls.

In the men's poll, Piedmont received four first-place votes and 93 points. Second-pace Covenant totaled 85 points and third-place Berea picked up six first-place votes and 76 points. Methodist received the remaining first-place vote and is fourth with 74 points.

Huntingdon is seventh with 47 points.

In the women's poll, Piedmont received five of a possible 16 first-place votes and 211 points, followed by Berea in second with nine first-place votes and 187 points. Covenant was third with 183 points, Meredith was fourth with 179 points and Methodist was fifth with one first-place vote and 177 points.

Huntingdon picked up the final first-place vote and was 12th with 82 points.

The complete polls are below.

2017 USA South Preseason Men's Cross Country Coaches' Poll

1. Piedmont (4 first-place votes), 93 points

2. Covenant, 85 points

3. Berea (6), 76 points

4. Methodist (1), 74 points

5. Maryville, 68 points

6. Averett, 54 points

7. Huntingdon, 47 points

8. LaGrange, 41 points

9. Ferrum, 26 points

10. N.C. Wesleyan, 22 points

11. William Peace, 19 points

2017 USA South Preseason Women's Cross Country Coaches' Poll

1. Piedmont (5 first-place votes), 211 points

2. Berea (9), 187 points

3. Covenant, 183 points

4. Meredith, 179 points

5. Methodist (1), 177 points

6. Maryville, 146 points

7. Agnes Scott, 139 points

8. Mary Baldwin, 116 points

9. Salem, 111 points

10. Averett, 109 points

11. LaGrange, 86 points

12. Huntingdon (1), 82 points

13. N.C. Wesleyan, 57 points

14. Ferrum, 55 points

15. Wesleyan, 44 points

16. William Peace, 38 points