ROCK HILL, S.C. – Anderson women's cross country team secured a third-place spot on the South Atlantic Conference Coaches' Poll, as announced by the league on Wednesday.
 
"We're excited to see what this season has in store for us as we look to continue to build on last year's successes," said Head Cross Country Coach, Kevin Eagle.
 
The Trojans sit behind Wingate and Catawba, sharing third place with Lincoln Memorial.
 
"We do not like to get ahead of ourselves, but these preseason rankings show us that we are set up to do well this year."
 
Three Trojans were named Runners to Watch as part of the preseason announcement, including sophomore Natalie States, junior Kennedy Roush and senior Emma Whitaker.
 
States competed in two meets during the 2024 campaign, finishing 32^nd at the SAC Championships with a 23:33 6k. She went on to NCAA regionals, finishing with a personal best 6k (23:32). Roush competed in five meets finishing 6^th at the SAC Championships. She went on to finishing 12^th at NCAA Regionals and earned All-SAC and All-Region honors. Whitaker competed in five meets, finishing 18^th at the SAC Championships. She finished 37^th at the SE Regional Preview with a 23:38 6k and earned All-Conference honors.
 
AU Begins the 2025 season on Sept. 20 in Wingate, N.C. at the Wingate Invitational. 
 
The full release can be found here.
 
SAC Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll
Rank School (1st place votes) Points
1 Wingate (11) 110
2 Catawba (1) 98
3t Lincoln Memorial 86
3t Anderson 86
5 Lenoir-Rhyne 67
6 Carson-Newman 58
7 Emory & Henry 47
8 Mars Hill 44
9 UVA Wise 30
10 Tusculum 18
11 Newberry 16
12 Coker 12
 
Runners to Watch
Anderson
Kennedy Roush, Emma Whitaker, Natalie States
Carson-Newman
Jenna Pittman, Emma Roberts, Peyton Couch
Catawba
Madi Clay, Hannah Caudill
Coker
Amelia Artz, Aleeya Moes
Emory & Henry
Elise McKinney, Madison Fiscus, McKenzie Tate, Jr.
Lincoln Memorial
Jacie Begley, Reaghan Curde, Natalia Iker
Lenoir-Rhyne
Regly Jemutai, Maria Carmona and Caitlyn Christie
Mars Hill
Sophie Ratcliff, Grace Adams, Mary Malcolm, Natalee Powers
Newberry
Kwamia Russell, Olivia Hare
Tusculum
Abby Counter, Jesica Mbhamali, Hannah McLain
UVA Wise
Alexsis Porter, Lydia Slemp, Destyne Rutherford
Wingate
Sira Bo, Evie Brooks, Ona Alonso, Firdaouss Hriche