ATLANTA, Ga. -- Covenant men's and women's cross country squads were chosen at the top of the CCS pre-championship polls, announced the conference on Thursday.

Led by head coach Eli Kaczinski, along with assistant James Cain and volunteer assistants Zach Sever and Will Holland, the men earned 22 points and four first-place votes, while the women received 34 points and five first-place votes.

Going into the CCS Championships, the men's team, the back-to-back defending CCS champions, have been ranked inside the top-10 in the South Region for the last six weeks running, the only team in the CCS that has held that distinction, while putting together three top-half finishes in their meets.

In terms of personnel, freshman Hudson Casto earned four CCS Rookie of the Week honors to lead the pack, while seniors Aidan DeVries, Chandler Lines, and Troy Daniel and juniors Jacob Howington, Jack Dupree, and Andor Agustsson head up the upperclassman cohort.

Sophomores Anthony Davis, Grayson Lines, Jack Miller, and Jack Woodham, along with freshmen Bradley Brooks, Silas Crowe, Ken Foos, Nate Headley, Caleb Koerber, David Nicoleau, and Sam Richards round out the roster, who hope to three-peat in Huntsville.

On the women's side, the squad landed top-10 USTFCCCA regional rankings twice in 2026, marking the first time since 2021 that the women's group had reached the top 10 in the South Region. They have not finished lower than sixth in any of their meets this season, as they seek their first CCS title.

On the roster, Covenant's team has been paced by sophomore Sarah Vannoy, who has accrued four CCS Runner of the Week honors this season. Along with Vannoy, seniors Emerson Tillery, Claire Mellott, and Evangelia Berry, along with junior Kenzi Stapleton, have displayed excellent times in their 2026 campaigns.

Rounding out the roster are sophomores Leah Russ and Aida Okie, along with freshmen Cora Zecher, Ella Potoshnick, Hann Forrest, Evie Fikkert, Talia Carrillo, Penelope Bosma, and Abbie Apicella, who have all gained valuable experience in preparation for this moment. 

The CCS Championship meet will take place tomorrow morning at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Ala., with the women's race set to begin at 9:30 ET, and the men's race at 10:30 ET. 

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