ROME, Ga. - The Methodist University women's cross country team placed seventh in the USA South Pre-Championship Coaches Poll with 18 total points, as announced by the conference offices on Tuesday afternoon.
 
Defending USA South champion, Southern Virginia University, ranks in prime position at the top of the poll with 48 total points and six first place votes, while Pfeiffer University places second with 43 total points and two first place votes. Meredith College and host, Brevard College, finish in third and fourth respectively with 35 and 26 total points earned.
 
Salem College (N.C.) concludes the top five within the conference in fifth, logging 23 total points, while Mary Baldwin University just sneaks ahead of the Monarchs in sixth with 20 total points. Greensboro College rounds out the poll in eighth, marking out with 11 total points.
 
The 2026 USA South Men's Cross Country Championships will be held on Friday, October 30th, hosted by Brevard College at The Brevard Airstrip, with the first race slated for 10:00 AM.