Cross Country Picked To Finish Second In ASUN Preseason Coaches Poll
8/28/2026 11:50:00 AM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Atlantic Sun Conference announced that the University of North Florida men's and women's cross country teams were each selected second in the 2026 ASUN Preseason Coaches Poll on Thursday.
Each program received 56 points in its respective poll. It marked the second straight season that both programs earned a second-place selection.
North Florida placed third on both sides at the 2025 ASUN Cross Country Championships and returns four honorees from the postseason meet. On the men's side, fifth-year Cole Perry earned 2025 Third Team All-ASUN honors, while sophomores Alejandro Romagosa and Parker Banzhaf secured 2025 ASUN All-Freshman Team honors. Senior Annika Buser returns on the women's side after earning 2025 Third Team All-ASUN honors last season.
Each program also welcomed an influx of talented newcomers ahead of the season, with two transfers and six freshmen added on each side.
North Florida opens the season at home with the Florida Intercollegiate Cross Country Invitational on Friday, Sept. 4, at Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Fla. It marks the fourth time in the last five seasons that the Ospreys have hosted a home meet.
The 2026 ASUN Cross Country Championships are set for Oct. 30 in Richmond, Ky., followed by the 2026 NCAA South Regional Championships on Nov. 13 in Tallahassee, Fla. Qualifying teams and individuals will advance to the 2026 NCAA Championships on Nov. 21 in Terre Haute, Ind.
2026 ASUN CROSS COUNTRY COACHES POLL
ASUN Men's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll
- Lipscomb (7) | 62 pts
- North Florida | 56 pts
- Bellarmine | 44 pts
- FGCU | 38 pts
- Stetson (1) | 34 pts
- Queens (NC) | 30 pts
T7. Jacksonville | 12 pts
T7. West Florida | 12 pts
ASUN Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll
- Lipscomb (8) | 64 pts
- North Florida | 56 pts
- FGCU | 46 pts
- Queens (NC) | 37 pts
- Stetson | 30 pts
- Bellarmine | 22 pts
- Jacksonville | 20 pts
- West Florida | 13 pts
