The Trinity Tigers were selected as the 2026 preseason favorite after capturing their first SAA championship in 2025, their inaugural season in the conference. Centre finished second in last year’s championship but continues to lead the conference with 10 SAA titles, including a seven-year championship streak from 2017-2023.

Trinity has dominated the SAA Athlete of the Week honors this season, earning four of the seven weekly awards. Gianna Keena and Anne Snider have each claimed two honors, while Maryville’s Megan Shinn has also made her mark with two Athlete of the Week selections.

Rhodes’ Anna Cantrell claimed the 2025 individual medalist honors, followed by two athletes from Centre before the Tigers' Keena and Snider, who finished fourth and fifth respectively, to round out the top five.

Trinity enters the championship after earning a spot in the USTFCCCA national Top 25 earlier this season and currently sits No. 5 in the West regional rankings. Rhodes and Berry are also ranked regionally, placing No. 7 and No. 10, respectively, in the South region.

Men’s Preview

Trinity topped the 2026 SAA Coaches’ Preseason Poll, earning the nod to repeat as conference champions after joining the league last season. Leading the way for the Tigers is George Mikhael, who has claimed three of the seven SAA Athlete of the Week honors this season with standout performances in Weeks One, Two and Seven.

Trinity placed four runners in the top 15 at last year’s championship, while Oglethorpe claimed the individual champion and runner-up finishes. Berry’s Keenan Smith rounded out the top three, earning SAA Rookie of the Year honors as a freshman.

Oglethorpe’s Zachary Benner set a new SAA Championship record last season with an impressive time of 24:35.5, setting the mark for competitors to chase at this Saturday’s championship at Sewanee.

Trinity enters the championship ranked No. 6 in the West Region, while Berry sits No. 6 in the South Region, followed by Rhodes at No. 8.