CLINTON, Miss. — Mississippi Christian women's cross country enters the 2026 season with high expectations after being picked second in the Gulf South Conference preseason coaches poll.
The GSC released its 2026 women's cross country preseason poll Monday, with Mississippi Christian receiving three first-place votes and 91 points. Lee was selected as the preseason favorite with eight first-place votes and 98 points.
UAH finished third with 84 points, followed by Union with 71 points and Trevecca Nazarene with 60.
Three Choctaws Named Runners to Watch
Three Mississippi Christian runners were named to the conference's 2026 Women's Cross Country Runners to Watch list: junior Kinley Harris, sophomore Audrey Mayatte and sophomore Catherine Wallace.
All three earned Second Team All-GSC honors in cross country last season.
Harris finished 14th at the GSC Championships and 42nd at the NCAA South Regional. She owns a 17:41 5K personal best on the track and finished third in the GSC 10,000-meter run and eighth in the 5,000-meter run during the outdoor season. Harris also holds the Mississippi Christian school record in the 10K with a time of 37:01.
Mayatte placed 13th at the GSC Championships last season and finished 34th at the NCAA South Regional. She owns a 19:02 5K personal best on the track and finished sixth in the GSC indoor mile.
Wallace finished 17th at the GSC Championships and 43rd at the NCAA South Regional. She owns an 18:06 5K personal best on the track and finished fourth in the GSC indoor mile. Wallace was also named GSC Cross Country Freshman of the Week twice during her freshman season.
The three returning All-GSC runners give Mississippi Christian a strong veteran core as the Choctaws enter the 2026 season among the GSC's top contenders.
2026 GSC Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll
- Lee (8) — 98 points
- Mississippi Christian (3) — 91
- UAH — 84
- Union — 71
- Trevecca Nazarene — 60
- AUM — 58
- Christian Brothers — 44
- Montevallo — 42
- West Alabama — 27
- Valdosta State — 19
- Delta State — 11
The Choctaws begin the 2026 season looking to build on last year's success and challenge for the GSC championship.
