AUGUSTA, Ga. - The Flagler College men's and women's cross country teams were selected No. 1 in this year's Peach Belt Conference (PBC) preseason poll, according to conference officials this morning.

Securing six first place votes, the men's squad finished the poll with 62 points. Trailing Flagler was Augusta University who collected 59 points on three first place votes. Georgia College & State University (49), Clayton State University (39) and Lander University (34) rounded out the top-five. Columbus State University (28), University of South Carolina Aiken (27), University of South Carolina Beaufort (18) and Georgia Southwestern State University (8) closed out the poll.

For the fifth consecutive year, the women's side stands atop the poll, collecting 100 points from 10 first place votes. This total exceeded last years by two points. Trailing the Saints is Augusta University who notched one first place vote and 88 points. University of North Georgia (80), Georgia College & State University (77) and Lander University (60) rounded out the top-five. The remaining teams to fill out the poll were; University of South Carolina Aiken (52), Columbus State University (44), Clayton State University (41), University of South Carolina Beaufort (29), Middle Georgia State Unversity (19) and Georgia Southwestern State University (15).

The reining 2025 PBC Champions are returning a roster highlighted by core contributors such as Axel Dabe, Jack Waters and Bryce Dufrene. Last year, Dabe earned PBC Freshman of the Year after his standout, 25:06.03, fourth place finish at the conference championship. Dufrene cracked the top-10, earning eighth place with a 25:27.6 finish. Waters was the fourth fastest freshman to run, placing 12th in 25:42.5. Other notable returns such as Andy Munnik and Kaleb Hollins will look to step into bigger roles. 

Eyeing their ninth consecutive PBC title, the Saints will be led by a highly taught incoming recruiting class. Last years freshman made a large impact with key contributions from Sophie May, Sophia Poling, Kinga Borowska and Marie Meyer-Piton. All finishing within the top-10, the Saints occupied the sixth and eighth through tenth slots. Poling finished as Flagler's top finishing freshman with a 19:02.6 at the PBC Cross Country Championship.

"Heading into the season, we are taking this poll with a grain of salt... We are not last years teams", Head Coach Brian Beil said. "We are underdogs this season and we're embracing that. Last year our team's core was upperclassmen, now we are rebuilding that foundation with our returners and an impressive transfer and freshman class".

The incoming recruiting class consists of 10 women and 12 men. Going coast-to-coast, incoming sophomore, Ripley Penney, enters her first season as a Saint after transferring from Gonzaga University. Incoming true freshman Izzy Harter finished her career at Choctawhatchee High School as a two time Florida state qualifier and state placer. Hailing from Rochester, N.Y., Aubrey Sudol finished as a four time Class-A state qualifier and 2024 section champion. 

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