Defending SSAC Champion William Carey (Mississipi) claimed the top spot in the 2019 SSAC Women's Cross Country Coaches' Preseason Poll. Dalton State assumes the third position in the poll, the same place they finished at the 2018 SSAC Championships.
2019 SSAC Women's Cross Country Coaches' Preseason Poll
1.
William Carey (Miss.) – 120 (10)
2. Blue Mountain (Miss.) – 110 (1)
3. Dalton State (Ga.) – 98
4. Middle Georgia State – 82
5. Loyola (La.) – 78
6. Bethel (Tenn.) – 70
7. Brewton-Parker (Ga.) – 50
8. Martin Methodist (Tenn.) – 38
9. Mobile (Ala.) – 37
10. Florida College – 29
11. Stillman (Ala.) - 14
The Lady Birds bring back talent in redshirt junior Ana Karen Padilla, junior Kay Vradenburgh, and sophomore'sRachel Ward and Alex Gass. Vradenburgh (8th) and Ward (9th) both finished in the top-10 at the SSAC Championships. Padilla will be returning after an injury forced her to sit out all but one event in 2018. Gass, meanwhile, had an excellent summer and has the potential for a solid season.
Joining them are a group of talented freshmen. Kathryn Vradenburgh, the younger sister of Kay, will push early for the top spot on the team. Mari Morales and Kate Roberts will be counted on early to make important contributions.
Dalton State will begin the season on August 30 in the Belmont Opener at Percy Warner Park in Nashville, Tenn.