CANTON, Ga. - The Trinity Tigers were selected as the 2026 preseason favorite for the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) Men’s Cross Country title for the second consecutive season.
Trinity brought in eight first place votes for 72 points while Centre captured one first place vote with 62 points. Berry and Rhodes finished third and fourth, repectively with 59 and 53 points. Sewanee was picked to round of the top five with 42 points.
Voting was conducted among the SAA’s nine head coaches.
2026 MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON POLL RESULTS
1. Trinity - 72 (8)
2. Centre - 62 (1)
3. Berry - 59
4. Rhodes - 53
5. Sewanee - 42
6. Southwestern - 33
7. Oglethorpe - 26
8. Millsaps - 25
9. Maryville - 24
Trinity takes the top spot under the leadership of the 2025 SAA Coaching Staff of the Year. Last season, the Tigers placed four runners in the top 15, including three in the top 10. As a team, Trinity posted a team score of 48, finishing nearly 30 points ahead of runner-up Centre.
The Centre Colonels, who claimed runner-up honors last season, return looking to capture their first SAA title since the 2020-21 season. Centre placed two runners in the top 10 at last year’s championship race and will look to build on that strong performance as they chase the conference crown.
Voted to finish third, Berry looks to reclaim the top spot after its four-year championship run from 2021-24 came to an end last season when Trinity was crowned champion. With a rich history of success in the SAA, the Vikings had three runners finish in the top 15 last season, including the SAA Rookie of the Year.
The 2026 SAA Men’s Cross Country Championship is slated for October 31 in Sewanee, Tennessee, hosted by The University of the South.
For more information on all things SAA, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the SAA's home on the internet at
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