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 Thursday.

The Huntingdon men are 10th and the Huntingdon women are 16th. This will be the second year of competition for both Huntingdon teams following a four-year hiatus. Berea, the defending conference champion for the men and women, is first in both polls.

In the men's poll, Berea received 11 of a possible 12 first-place votes and 121 points. Second-place Covenant picked up one first-place vote and 106 points and third-place Piedmont totaled 100 points. Methodist is fourth with 88 points and Maryville is fifth with 72 points.

Huntingdon totaled 38 points.

In the women's poll, Berea received 12 first-place votes and 252 points and second-place Covenant totaled five first-place votes and 239 points. Piedmont was third with 223 points, followed by Methodist in fourth with 197 points and Meredith in fifth with 179 points. 

Huntingdon finished with 57 points.

The complete polls are below.

2018 USA South Preseason Men's Cross Country Coaches' Poll

1. Berea (11 first-place votes), 121 points

2. Covenant (1), 106 points

3. Piedmont, 100 points

4. Methodist, 88 points

5. Maryville, 72 points

6. Pfeiffer, 58 points

7. Brevard, 53 points

8. N.C. Wesleyan, 49 points

9. William Peace, 39 points

10. Huntingdon, 38 points

T11. Averett, 34 points

T11. LaGrange, 34 points

2018 USA South Preseason Women's Cross Country Coaches' Poll

1. Berea (12 first-place votes), 252 points

2. Covenant (5), 239 points

3. Piedmont, 223 points

4. Methodist, 197 points

5. Meredith, 179 points

6. Maryville, 168 points

7. Pfeiffer, 147 points

T8. Agnes Scott, 142 points

T8. Mary Baldwin, 142 points

10. Salem, 106 points

11. Brevard, 105 points

12. N.C. Wesleyan, 94 points

13. Averett, 86 points

14. LaGrange, 70 points

15. Wesleyan, 58 points

16. Huntingdon, 57 points

17. William Peace, 47 points