VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State women's cross country team was selected to finish tenth in the GSC Women's Cross Country Coaches Preseason Poll, the team learned Tuesday afternoon. The Blazers return four runners from last year's squad, while adding five to the roster. 
 
Lee was voted first in the poll with 121 points, as they received 11 of the 12 first place votes. Mississippi College was second with 109 points and received the other first place vote. Alabama Huntsville was tabbed third (102), followed by Auburn Montgomery (81) in fourth, as West Florida and Union were tied for fifth with 79 points apiece. Christian Brothers (57) was polled seventh, as they were followed by Montevallo (55), Trevecca Nazarene (45) and Valdosta State (34) to round out the top ten. Delta State (16) and West Alabama (14) finished off the poll.
 
Valdosta State returns their top four runners from last season, as they are headlined by senior Caitlyn Koske, who finished 2023 by setting an all-time Blazer record. Koske broke an eight-year record in the 6k, as she clocked a time of 22:28.8 in the NCAA DII South Regionals. Right behind her was senior Katie LaCroix, who clocked a 6k time of 22:43.3, good for third all-time. Senior Kyleigh Rice will also return for her senior season, as the Locust Grove, Ga. native will be the third and final senior exercising her final year. Sophomore Charlotte Carley is looking to her strong start in Valdosta, as she finished her season on a high note last year, placing 96^th in NCAA South Regionals with a 6k PR time of 25:10.8.

"Our 2024 Lady Blazers have a wonderful mix of veterans with new team members. In short order, the nine ladies are focused and already a team with one goal. Fun times ahead" - Head Coach Todd Smoot

 
Smoot brings in five newcomers this year, as junior Abby Adams, junior Anna Brown, freshman Ella Burnett, sophomore Sarah Simpson and freshman Alexia Sokolowski will all rep red and black for the first time in the fall.
 
The Blazers open the 2024 season in Valdosta, as they will host the annual VSU Border Clash on Friday, September 6 at 6:20 p.m. at Freedom Park, as the men will start with the 7.25k followed by the women with a 5k. VSU has also been granted to host the Gulf South Conference XC Championship for the first time in school history on Saturday, October 26.