Florida Gators

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southeastern Conference released its 2019 SEC Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll on Monday afternoon, as the Florida women were tabbed third while the men were picked to finish tied for fourth ahead of the 2019 season.
 
The women finished second at last season's SEC Championship, while the men finished eighth.
 
The United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association's (USTFCCCA) preseason regional rankings were also released this afternoon. The UF women will start the season ranked fourth as the men are ranked 10^th in the South Region. Last season, the women finished second, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships, while the men finished 11th at the NCAA South Regional.
 
On the women's side, the Gators lose a couple key contributors in Morgan Hull and Caitlin McQuilkin-Bell, who finished 11^th and 17^th respectively with career-bests of 19:46.50 and 19:58.79 at last year's SEC Championships.
 
Despite the losses, Florida looks to build upon last season's success with the return of a plethora of key competitors, including the return of 2018 SEC Women's Runner of the Year and USTFCCCA All-American Jessica Pascoe. Pascoe recorded three individual titles last season, including the SEC Championship, making her the first Gator to win the individual title since 2009. The Gators also return All-SEC Second Team and USTFCCCA All-South Region performer Elisabeth Bergh, who posted top-10 finishes at last year's conference meet and the NCAA South Regional, in addition to USTFCCCA All-South Region performer Imogen Barrett. Barrett turned in a trio of top-25 finishes for the Gators last season, including placing 21^st at the NCAA South Regionals.
 
The addition of Bucknell transfer Payton Capes and freshmen Emily Culley, Chloe Hyde, and Jackie Addy, a two-time 2018 USATF National Junior Olympic Championships gold medalist (1,500m; 3,000m), should also add to the contributions of the UF women.
 
The Florida men look to continue their improvement, as they return numerous key contributors in Colin Schaefer, Jack Guyton and Trevor Foley. The three runners all turned in top-50 finishes at the 2018 SEC Championships, while Justin Pacifico, Magnus Pettersen and Nick Deal will additionally look to contribute to the Gators lineup.
 
The additions of Charlotte transfer Matthew Bomkamp and freshmen Hugh Brittenham, a 3-time FL State Champion and two-time FHSAA Class 3A Outdoor Finals silver medalist (1,600m – '17, '18), and Caden Monk will also help the continued improvement for the Gators.
 
The Gators first meet of the season will take place this Friday, Aug. 30, at the UNF Invitational in Jacksonville, Fla.
 
2019 SEC Cross Country Coaches' Preseason Poll
(parenthesis indicate first-place votes)
 

MEN				WOMEN
Rank	Team	Points		Rank	Team	Points
1	Ole Miss (7)	15		1	Arkansas (13)	13
2	Alabama (5)	20		2	Ole Miss (1)	32
3	Arkansas	28		3	Florida	37
T4	Florida	58		4	Georgia	55
T4	Kentucky	58		5	Missouri	63
6	Missouri	60		6	Vanderbilt	84
7	Texas A&M	64		7	Alabama	91
8	Tennessee	70		T8	Kentucky	107
9	Georgia	87		T8	Texas A&M	107
10	Auburn	100		10	Tennessee	115
11	Vanderbilt	114		11	Auburn	117
12	LSU	118		12	Mississippi State	136
				13	South Carolina	158
				14	LSU	159

 
Points for the men's poll were awarded on a 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11 basis, while the women's poll was awarded on a 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13 basis. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own teams.

The Ole Miss men were predicted to win the 2019 SEC Cross Country Championship. The Rebels, who garnered seven first place votes, won their first SEC title a year ago.

The Arkansas women, who have won six consecutive SEC Cross Country Championships, were predicted to win the 2019 SEC Cross Country Championship. The Razorbacks received 13 first place votes.

The 2019 SEC Cross Country Championships are slated to take place Friday, Nov. 1 in Lexington, Ky.