ROCK HILL, S.C.- Carson-Newman's women's cross country team is slated sixth in the South Atlantic Conference Poll. The men's team falls into the seventh position.
Spooner's squads saw a slight improvement this year in their preseason rankings compared to last year's preseason poll when the women's team placed seventh, and the men's eighth.
"I'm excited certainly to move up," Spooner said, "I do think that both our men's and women's teams are significantly better than we were last year."
After Queens left the conference, Wingate takes the number one spot in the preseason poll for both the men's and women's teams. Wingate earns 144 points with 12 first-place votes.
Anderson narrowly finishes second with 125 points for their men's team, and 126 points for their women's team. Catawba finishes third in the men's poll with 124 points and one first-place vote. Lenoir-Rhyne finishes third in the women's poll with 123 points and one first-place vote.
Freshman Grace Lathrop is a runner that fans should keep their eye on for the upcoming season. Lathrop ran for Farragut High School last year finishing fourth in Tennessee's rankings.
"I am seeing a lot of push and leadership from Grace," Spooner said, "She is really the one that pushes the domino for the rest of the squad."
On the men's side, Raymond Brugmans is expected to pick up where he left off last year as Carson-Newman's top guy.
"I do think that Ray is going to take a big step forward," Spooner said, "He learned a lot of lessons last year the hard way, but he is going to be able to take those lessons and push forward."
The Eagles will begin the season on September 3rd at the Fleet feet invitational in Salisbury, North Carolina.
2022 SAC Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll
1. Wingate (12 first-place votes) 144
2. Anderson 125
3. Catawba (1 first-place vote) 124
4. Lincoln Memorial 111
5. Lenoir-Rhyne 104
6. Tusculum 89
7. Carson-Newman 72
8. Limestone 69
9. Coker 50
10. Newberry 49
11. Mars Hill 31
12. Emory & Henry 27
13. UVA Wise 19
2022 SAC Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll
1. Wingate (12 first-place votes) 144
2. Anderson 126
3. Lenoir-Rhyne (1 first-place vote) 123
4. Catawba 112
5. Lincoln Memorial 101
6. Carson-Newman 88
7. Tusculum 82
8. Newberry 66
9. Limestone 48
10. UVA Wise 45
11. Coker 30
12. Emory & Henry 26
13. Mars Hill 23
