The University of the Cumberlands (UC) Cross Country programs have had a busy preseason as they continue to prepare for their first meet of the season which is just a little over one week away.  The NAIA and its coaching staffs have compiled their Preseason Top 25 Polls and the Patriots have earned places for both the men and women's teams. 

The Patriots women's team didn't crack the NAIA Top 25 but did receive votes in the poll capturing 32 points keeping them in contention to break into the elite early in the season.  The 2011 MSC Champions Shawnee State University are ranked 22^nd in the NAIA Poll with 174 points. 

Aside from the MSC, the polls show the defending 2011 Women's Cross Country National Champion Cal State San Marcos entering the 2012 season the same as they did the previous year as the No. 1 team.  The Cougars came away with 20 of the 21 first-place votes and tallied 591 points to earn the top spot.  

The Patriot men's team did earn a nod in the NAIA Top 25 Poll as they came in at #23 with 139 points.  Defending MSC Champion Shawnee State University joins UC as they are ranked at #7.  

For the second-straight year, Southern Oregon has earned the top spot in the NAIA Men's Cross Country Coaches' Top 25 Preseason Poll.  The Raiders, a third-place finisher at the 2011 NAIA Cross Country National Championships, received eight of 18 first-place votes and 486 points to garner the No. 1 ranking.

Patriot Head Coach Floyd Stroud says that the team as a whole looks very strong this year, and has high hopes of winning the Conference meet for both the men and women's teams. 

The poll was voted upon by a panel of head coaches representing each of the conferences/independents/unaffiliated groups.  The first regular-season Top 25 poll will be announced on Sept. 12

Both the Patriot men and women's teams will open up their season in Rome, GA to compete in the Berry College Invitational on September 1^st, 2012.

For more information on the Patriots Cross Country programs along with other Patriot athletics, please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com. 

_{Article Provided by Danielle Hoop, University of the Cumberlands Multimedia and Athletic Services Student Assistant}