CLEVELAND, Ga. – Truett McConnell cross country has been named seventh in both the men's and women's AAC preseason poll.
 
The women's team finished 9^th out of 14 teams in the 2025 AAC Championships while the men ended the day at 11^thplace out of 13. Both teams are projected to improve upon last year's marks. 
 
Milligan was picked to win the conference in both the men's and women's poll with both teams having 12 first-place votes. Like the Buffs' sweep of first place, Montreat and Reinhardt swept second and third place in both polls, respectively. 
 
The Bears and Lady Bears will start the 2026 season at the Bruins XC Night Classic in Greenville, S.C. on Sept. 4. 
 
AAC Women's Poll
1. Milligan (12) – 181
2. Montreat (1) – 170
3. Reinhardt – 149
4. Brenau – 141
5. Bryan – 126
6. Columbia – 118
7. Truett McConnell – 99
8. Union Commonwealth – 82
9. Columbia International – 77
10. Tennessee Wesleyan – 60
11. Johnson – 58
12. Spartanburg Methodist – 56
13. Pikeville – 31
14. Bluefield – 17
 
AAC Men's Poll
1. Milligan (12) – 156
2. Montreat - 144
3. Reinhardt – 127
T4. Tennessee Wesleyan – 113
T4. Bryan – 113
6. Union Commonwealth – 80
7. Truett McConnell – 73
8. Spartanburg Methodist – 69
9. Columbia International – 63
10. Columbia – 61
11. Pikeville – 46
12. Johnson – 30
13. Bluefield - 17