The University of the Cumberlands (UC) Cross Country programs have had a great preseason of training and are looking to make an impact this year in the Mid-South Conference as well as the NAIA. Coach Floyd Stroud and staff are excited as they feel they have two great teams to compete with each and every week. The NAIA has released its 2014 Preseason Top 25 Coaches’ Poll and the Patriots are mentioned in both.
The Patriot ladies cracked the Top 25 as they are ranked #24 in the preseason poll, receiving 138 total voting points. Biola (Calif.) earned the top spot in the preseason poll, receiving 12 of 21 first place votes and 580 total voting points. Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) received 6 first place votes and 573 total points, good enough for 2nd place. Other notable teams in the Women’s Top 25 are Shawnee State (#8) and Milligan (#12). SCAD-Savannah (Ga.), Tennessee Wesleyan, Brenau (Ga.), Brescia (Ky.), and Point (Ga.) are all receiving votes in the women’s poll.
The Patriot men are receiving votes in this year NAIA Top 25 Preseason Coaches’ Poll, earning 77 total voting points, which puts them just two spots outside of the top 25. Oklahoma City University received 20 of 21 first place votes, nearly being named the unanimous #1 ranked team in the country with 591 total voting points. Southern Oregon received the final first place vote and 569 total points, ranking them #2 in the NAIA. Other notable teams in the Men’s Top 25 are Shawnee State (#7), Tennessee Wesleyan (#10), Indiana Wesleyan (#16), and Indiana Tech (#22). Milligan (Tenn.) also received votes in the men’s poll.
The Patriot ladies will begin their season this weekend as they compete in the University of San Francisco Invitational on August 30th. The men will open the following weekend on September 5th as they and the ladies will travel to Cincinnati, Ohio to compete in the Queen City Invitational.
For more information on the Patriot Cross Country programs along with other Patriot athletics, please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com.