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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Lipscomb has been named the favorites of the 2026 Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) Men's and Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Polls and swept the Preseason Runner of the Year honors.
The Bisons' men's squad was tabbed as the preseason favorites after finishing second in the ASUN championship last season and placing five runners inside the top-11. Leading the way for the Bisons was Max Hooper, who was selected as the 2026 Preseason Men's Runner of the Year. Hooper is the highest placing returner from the 2025 ASUN championship where he placed fifth overall. Hooper qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 2026 in the 1500m, running a school record time of 3:39.33. He also currently holds the Lipscomb 8k cross country school record with a time of 23:29.
Lipscomb's women's team has been unanimously selected as the favorites heading into the 2026 season. The Bisons placed five runners inside the top-eight in last year's conference championship to claim their fourth consecutive ASUN title and an ASUN-record 12th team championship since 2011. Lipscomb's Harley Kletz was tabbed the Preseason Women's Runner of the Year. Kletz assisted the Bisons to their last three conference titles, placing inside the top-10 individually in each of those three championships.
2026 Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Lipscomb (7) 62
2. North Florida 56
3. Bellarmine 44
4. FGCU 38
5. Stetson (1) 34
6. Queens 30
T7. Jacksonville 12
T7. West Florida 12
2026 Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Lipscomb* (8) 64
2. North Florida 56
3. FGCU 46
4. Queens 37
5. Stetson 30
6. Bellarmine 22
7. Jacksonville 20
8. West Florida 13
* unanimous selection