BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Lee University women's cross country team received 11 first-place votes out of 12 possible to land at the top of the 2024 Gulf South Conference Preseason Poll. The Lady Flames accumulated 121 points, while Mississippi College had 109 points and one first-place vote to take second. The University of Alabama in Huntsville rounds out the top three with 102 total points.

The Lady Flames enter the season having won the last seven GSC Championships and are also seeking the program's fifth-straight NCAA Division II South Region Championship.

"This is the best team we have ever lined up," said Lee Director of Men's and Women's Cross Country Caleb Morgan. "Last year we were conference champions, south regional champions, and ninth at nationals. We redshirted our projected 2 and 3 runners a year ago. We picked up Ana Patri a transfer with All-American potential, and several freshman we feel can make an immediate impact. This preseason poll is a testament to the work our women put in last year and what other coaches see as our potential for the upcoming year."

Lee returns four of the seven runners who led the Lady Flames to the GSC championship last season. The Lady Flames are led by Aria Hawkins who won both the GSC Championship and the NCAA South Region races last season. Hawkins was also named the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) South Region Runner of the Year.

Katie Krueger, Ashlyn Iliff, and Katie Beam, who all finished in the top 23 in the GSC Championship last season, return for Lee. Previous All-GSC members Lily Hare and Megan Adams are also set to compete once again for the Lady Flames. The 2024 team will include nine newcomers as well.

The Lady Flames travel to Huntsville, Ala., on Friday, September 13 to open the season at the Southern Showcase hosted by Jacksonville State University. The meet will run at the John Hunt Park with the women starting at 9:30 a.m. ET.

GSC Women's Cross Country Coaches Preseason Poll
1. Lee (11) – 121
2. Mississippi College (1) – 109
3. UAH – 102
4. AUM – 81
t5. West Florida – 79
t5. Union – 79
7. Christian Brothers – 57
8. Montevallo – 55
9. Trevecca – 45
10. Valdosta State – 34
11. Delta State – 16
12. West Alabama - 14