DALLAS – Three-time defending Conference USA Women’s Cross Country Champion Middle Tennessee was named the preseason favorite in this year’s C-USA Preseason Poll. Charlotte, the 2022 C-USA runner-up was selected to finish first on the men’s side. Both polls are voted on by the league’s head coaches.

Last season, Middle Tennessee repeated as the C-USA Champion earning its third-straight title and fourth overall. The Blue Raiders, led by Keith Vroman who was named 2021 Coach of the Year, return All-Conference runners Naomy Limatukei and Mercy Chepkuru.

Charlotte placed second in the preseason rankings with a team that welcomes back five All-Conference selections in Louise Lounes, Alina Rovnak, Sophie Ritter, Emma Fredericks, and Karina Coulter. Rice rounds out the top three with the 2022 C-USA Cross Country Female Athlete of the Year and All-American, Grace Forbes returning for the Owls.

On the men’s side, Charlotte garnered seven first place votes to head into the season as the league’s favorite. The 49ers return Nick Scudder and Hunter White who placed in the top 10 at the C-USA Championships and received All-Conference honors.

Defending champions, Middle Tennessee was selected second in the rankings. Middle Tennessee pulled off a one-point victory, scoring 54 points in the C-USA Championships to claim the title and had five student-athletes earning All-Conference honors. UTEP comes in at third place and the Miners return four All-Conference runners.

The 2022 season begins Sept. 2 culminating in the C-USA Cross Country Championships hosted by North Texas on Oct. 29.
 
C-USA 2022 Women’s Preseason Poll (First place votes)
1.  Middle Tennessee (7)
2. Charlotte (4)
3. Rice
4. UTEP
5. UAB
6. FIU  
7. Florida Atlantic
8. UTSA
9. North Texas
10. WKU
11. Louisiana Tech
 
C-USA 2022 Men’s Preseason Poll (First place votes)
1.  Charlotte (7)
2. Middle Tennessee (3)
3. UTEP
4. Rice
5. North Texas
6. UTSA          
7. Louisiana Tech
8. WKU
9. FIU
10. Florida Atlantic