RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Great American Conference released its annual preseason coaches poll for women's cross country on Tuesday, and in that poll, reining conference champion Arkansas Tech was picked to finish fifth among the 12-team league at the conference championship race.
 
This year's GAC Cross Country Championship will take place on Saturday, November 7 in Enid, Okla. with Northwestern Oklahoma serving as the host.
 
East Central topped the poll with 114 total points and six of 12 possible first-place voted. Oklahoma Baptist and Ouachita Baptist tied for second with 107 points each. Ouachita received three first-place votes while Oklahoma Baptist garnered two.
 
Harding slotted fourth with 94 total points and one first-place vote.
 
The Golden Suns totaled 76 points to place fifth and will have the tall task of replacing a trio of First Team All-GAC runners and four of their scoring runners from their conference championship race a year ago. The Golden Suns do return Second Team All-GAC Runner Peyton Carson along with 10 other runners who competed last cross country season and welcome in a pair of newcomers.
 
Southeastern Oklahoma, Northwestern Oklahoma and Southern Arkansas accounted for the next three spots in the poll, while Henderson State, Southern Nazarene, Southwestern Oklahoma and Arkansas-Monticello rounded out the final spots, respectively.
 
The Golden Suns are set to embark on their first season under head coach Maggie Davis on Saturday, September 5 as they will take part in the City Auto Memphis Twilight.
 
For the full 2026 ATU women's cross country schedule, click the following link: https://arkansastechsports.com/sports/womens-cross-country/schedule