Earlier this week the NAIA head coaches for cross country gathered together and casted their votes for the national predicted champions of both men's and women's cross country teams.

Although the Patriots cross country teams did not make the top twenty five, both the men and women's teams received votes.

Patriot Head Coach Floyd Stroud said "This is a sign of encouragement for both the men and women's teams. We will just take it one race at a time and continue to see improvements."

Ranked number one by the coach's poll for the men's side of the competition was the Southern Oregon Raiders.

The Raiders are defending champions and beat out the competition with 16 votes for their first place ranking for the eighth year in a row. There were several other big name schools placed in the top twenty five rankings including Mid-South Conference (MSC) and Patriot competitor Shawnee State who was ranked sixth.

The women's side of the competition ranked the Cougars of Azusa Pacific number one with 15 votes. There were several other big name schools that made the top twenty five for the women's side of the competition as well including Southern Oregon and Indiana Wesleyan.

Article Provided by Sagan King, University of the Cumberlands Multimedia and Athletic Services Graduate Assistant