MELBOURNE, Fla. – Sunshine State Conference women’s cross country coaches voted Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University as the top team in 2018 preseason poll. The Eagles received 56 total votes and five first-place votes in the league’s inaugural women’s cross country poll. The University of Tampa was selected third.

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Saint Leo University edges the University of Tampa for second place in the poll. The Lions received 52 total votes and two first-place votes, while the Spartans brought in 51 total votes and one first-place vote. Fourth place Florida Southern College finished just three votes behind Tampa and secured the final first-place vote. Florida Tech rounds out the top five with 35 total votes.

Embry-Riddle is one-for-one in SSC women’s cross country championships after securing the 2017 title in their first year of eligibility. The Eagles went on to finish second of six SSC squads at the regional, third overall. Saint Leo won the south region championship and along with Embry-Riddle advanced to the NCAA National Meet. The Lions finished 21st at the national meet, while the Eagles landed at 26th.

The 2018 season begins on August 31st with teams competing at the FAU Invitational and Valdosta State Invitational. Rollins College will host the 2018 Sunshine State Conference Men’s & Women’s Cross Country Championships. The event will take place on Saturday, November 3rd on the campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach. Florida Southern will host the NCAA South Regional on Saturday, November 17th at Holloway Park in Lakeland. NCAA Finals will be held Saturday, December 1st at Cooper’s Lake Campground in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania.

2018 SSC WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON COACHES POLL

Rank	School (FPV*)	Total
1	Embry-Riddle (5)	56
2	Saint Leo (2)	52
3	Tampa (1)	51
4	Florida Southern (1)	48
5	Florida Tech	35
6	Lynn	30
7	Nova Southeastern	26
8	Palm Beach Atlantic	18
9	Rollins	8

*First Place Votes