Women Tabbed Fourth, Men Picked Ninth in Sun Belt Cross Country Preseason Poll

After a historic 2020 season, the Troy women's cross country team was tabbed fourth while the men were picked ninth in the Sun Belt Preseason Coaches Poll, the league announced Wednesday.

The squad will be directed by first-year head coach Brian Cunningham. Cunningham joined the Troy staff following two seasons in a similar role at Bridgewater College. Following his first year at Bridgewater, he was named the USTFCCCA South/Southeast Region Assistant Coach of the Year.

"I'm excited to kick off our season this week and see some of the initial results of our summer training," Cunningham said. "This weekend will be a good first competition on the road to the Sun Belt Conference Championship meet at the end of October."

On the women's side, the Trojans return two of their top three runners from a year ago in Gracie Booher and Cadi Rowe.

After notching a top-ten finish at the conference meet, Booher was dubbed the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year becoming the first Trojan in Troy's DI history to earn a postseason award.

Rowe found herself on the Third Team All-Sun Belt after finishing just outside of the top ten at the Sun Belt Championships last season. The sophomore finished 11th in 18:07.70 for a 5k personal record.

On the men's side, Troy returns its top-runner in Mason Bennett. Bennett led the Trojans in three of the four meets last season, including at the Sun Belt Championships where he posted an 8k personal record.

Troy is set to kick off the 2021 campaign on Friday, Sept. 3^rd in the Foothills Invitational hosted by Jacksonville State.

Troy University Athletics

Women Tabbed Fourth, Men Picked Ninth in Sun Belt Cross Country Preseason Poll

Players Mentioned

Mason Bennett

Gracie Booher

Cadi Rowe

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