ATLANTA, Ga. - The Collegiate Conference of the South released its Preseason Polls for both Men's and Women's Cross Country on Thursday afternoon. On the men's side Covenant was picked first while the women's team was picked to finish second.

The men's team totaled 36 points with six first place votes, edging out second-place Asbury by seven points. The Scots are the reigning CCS Champions after bringing home the trophy for the first time in 2024. 

Covenant brings back Daniel Bowles, Ethan Saiki, and Samuel Harrelson this year, all of which finished inside the top-nine of the CCS Championship a year ago. 

Covenant totaled 44 points with two first-place votes on the women's side, finishing four points behind first-place Asbury. In last year's CCS Championship the Scots finished in second place, which was its second consecutive year of doing so.

The Scots will be anchored by Emerson Tillery, who finished third in the CCS Championship a year ago and is in her third year in the blue and white. Covenant's lone senior is Maggie McGinley who has delivered strong performances throughout her career as she looks to go out on a positive note. 

Both teams get started on Saturday as they host the third annual Mountainside Stride at the Reflection Riding and Arboretum Nature Center in Chattanooga. Afterwards, the Scots have four weekends of meets before competing in the CCS Championship in Huntsville, Alabama on Halloween. 

CONNECT WITH THE SCOTS

Be sure to follow the Scots all season long on athletics.covenant.edu and on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for up-to-date scores, news and other information.