Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Women’s Cross Country Picked Third in SBC Preseason Poll
8/22/2024 1:00:00 PM | Cross Country
Herd men selected sixth, team’s finish at 2023 Championships
NEW ORLEANS – The Sun Belt Conference Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll was revealed Thursday, with Marshall being picked third out of 13 schools.
The polls - which nearly mirror the results of the 2023 Championships - selected Arkansas State as the favorite for the women. The Herd men were picked sixth, with the defending champions App State tabbed as the favorite.
"I am really excited for this season," Coach Caleb Bowen said. "It will be really fun to see a lot of new members step up and contribute to our total team score. The Conference Championship is going to be fun and I think we are going to do a lot better than last year. We are already getting after it and hopefully we stay healthy."
The Herd women do return several key pieces, including two-time All-Conference runner Kylee Mastin. Marshall's senior earned SBC Third Team with a 12th place finish in 2022, and a SBC Second Team honor by cracking the top-10 in 2023. Mastin won two gold medals last season in track and field, the Indoor Mile and the Outdoor 1500.
"Kylee is the current Mile and 1500 Sun Belt Conference Champion in track," Coach Bowen added. "She is also someone who has worked very hard all summer, and she is going to be one of our top leaders."
"We also have a really strong core of the team, with returners Hannah Wyler and Asha Bora among others. We have two freshmen - Destiny Berryman and Ellie Hoosaflook - who crushed it as seniors in high school."
The men have a balance of 10 returners from last season with seven newcomers.
"On the men's side, we have a lot of new talent which is exciting to see," said Bowen. "Garrett Ferguson is only a sophomore but has developed into a true leader and I think he is going to have a great season. Incoming freshman Justin Lipscomb won multiple State Championships for Winfield High School. It is going to be fun to see a lot of guys step up this year."
2024 Sun Belt Conference Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. App State (8) – 80 points
2. Arkansas State (1) – 73 points
3. South Alabama – 52 points
T4. Texas State – 50 points
T4. ULM – 50 points
6. Marshall – 35 points
7. Louisiana – 33 points
8. Coastal Carolina – 21 points
9. Troy – 11 points
2024 Sun Belt Conference Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Arkansas State (10) – 162 points
2. James Madison (2) – 151 points
3. Marshall – 138 points
4. App State – 127 points
5. Coastal Carolina (1) – 126 points
6. South Alabama – 96 points
7. Southern Miss – 86 points
T8. Louisiana – 78 points
T8. Texas State – 78 points
10. ULM – 58 points
11. Georgia Southern – 40 points
12. Georgia State – 24 points
13. Troy – 19 points
Follow the team on Twitter and Instagram @HerdTFXC for coverage all season long of Marshall cross country.
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