Big South Men's XC Release
Big South Women's XC Release

High Point, N.C. — High Point University women's and men's cross country teams have been selected first and second, respectively, in the Big South Conference Preseason poll. The Big South announced the coaches' results Thursday morning.

HPU women's cross country has been ranked first in the Big South Preseason poll for the third year in a row. The women earned six first-place votes, three less than last year. The women have won six straight championships and will be working towards a seventh this year.  

"We appreciate the votes from our Big South peers, but we view this in the same manner that they do too: results are the only things that matter," HPU Women's XC Head Coach Remy Tamer said. "We view our position as the hunters and we are in pursuit of our best. Regardless of rankings and predictions, a championship, and any other result, will be a byproduct of the work we do. We're ready to get to work."

The HPU men's team has been ranked second in the Big South Preseason poll for a second year in a row. Last year's champion, Charleston Southern, was given seven first-place votes. HPU was awarded the remaining two votes. 

"Charleston Southern's men have established themselves as the dominate program and certainly should be favored," HPU Men's Head Coach Mike Esposito said. "We have a big challenge ahead of us, but I know our team is excited to prepare and give it a go in late October."

Both the men's and women's cross country teams will start their season on Friday, Sept. 1 at Elon University.

2023 BIG SOUTH PRESEASON WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY POLL
 
  Rk   Team (first-place votes) 
   1.   High Point (6)
   2.   Charleston Southern (2)
   3.   Radford (1)
   4.   UNC Asheville
   5.   USC Upstate 
   6.   Longwood
   7.   Winthrop 
   8.   Gardner-Webb 
   9.   Presbyterian College 
 
 
2023 BIG SOUTH PRESEASON MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY POLL
 
  Rk   Team (first-place votes) 
   1.   Charleston Southern (7) 
   2.   High Point (2) 
   3.   UNC Asheville
   4.   Radford 
   5.   USC Upstate
T-6.   Longwood 
T-6.   Winthrop  
   8.   Gardner-Webb 
   9.   Presbyterian College 
 
Note: points are based on a weighted system, with first-place votes receiving 9 points, followed by 8 points for second-place, and so on.