BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The 2025 Gulf South Conference Men's and Women's Cross Country Preseason Polls were announced Tuesday by the league office.
 
On the men's side Lee finished with 99 points to lead the way, followed by UAH (92) and Mississippi College was third with 82 points. The women's side featured Lee at the top spot with 121 points, while UAH checked in at second with 108 points and Mississippi College was third with 103 points. West Florida was picked fourth in both polls and ironically the top four for each gender were the same teams. Union was picked fifth on the women's side and Auburn Montgomery on the men's.
 
The Valdosta State Blazer women's team was picked ninth, while the men's team was selected 11th as voted on by the league head coaches.
 
Blazer head cross country coach Todd Smoot begins his 16th year at helm of the teams in 2025. He has Seven runners on the women's side with three returners in senior Anna Brown, sophomore Ella Burnett and junior Sarah Simpson. Smoot welcomes newcomers sophomore Valdosta native Emma Burnett, along with junior college transfer Atlanta Lofton from Pasco Hernando State College and freshman Samantha Savion-Rios and Valdosta native Alyssa Youmans. 
 
On the men's side, Smoot returns junior Caleb Tilford and sophomore Nick Waddell, while he added four newcomers for the season. Young Harris sophomore transfer Hunter Shuler joins the team, along with Florida Gateway College junior transfer Randall Luke. Sophomore Valdosta native Toshiya Bass and freshman James Wilkerson also are new in 2025.
 
The cross country teams will open the 2025 season in Valdosta, hosting the annual Valdosta State Border Clash on Friday, September 5, at 6:15 p.m. at Freedom Park in Valdosta. The women's race is set to begin at 6:15 p.m. with a 5k, followed by the men's 7.25 race set to begin approximately at 6:50 p.m. The races are free to attend. 
 
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