RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - The Great American Conference released its 2023 Preseason Poll Thursday for cross country, and Henderson State was picked to finish 11th this fall. During last year's GAC Championship, HSU finished in the same spot where the coaches selected the team to place this season.
Ouachita Baptist was tabbed to defend its 2022 GAC Championship with 121 total votes, including 11 first-place votes. In second place, Oklahoma Baptist received 109 votes and the final first-place vote, while Arkansas Tech (3), Harding (4), and East Central (5) round out the top five.
Seniors
Heidy Galvan and
Marianna Murcia will lead a roster with four new additions in 2023, including two-way athlete
Lily Winter, who is on the tennis team, and
Natalie Jennings from National Park.
Kristina Kozlova returns for her second season with the Reddies and is the only other returner with Galvan and Murcia from last year's team.
The Henderson State Cross Country team will compete in three meets across 2023, beginning with the Lois Davis Invitational on Friday, Sept. 9, before heading to the GAC Championships on Saturday, Oct. 21, in Russellville, Ark.
2023 GAC Preseason Cross Country Poll
| Team |
Total Votes |
First-Place Votes |
| Ouachita Baptist |
121 |
11 |
| Oklahoma Baptist |
109 |
1 |
| Arkansas Tech |
95 |
|
| Harding |
94 |
|
| East Central |
85 |
|
| Southern Arkansas |
71 |
|
| Southern Nazarene |
60 |
|
| Southeastern Oklahoma State |
53 |
|
| Southwestern Oklahoma State |
39 |
|
| Northwestern Oklahoma State |
33 |
|
| Henderson State |
21 |
|
| Arkansas-Monticello |
11 |
|
