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Women's Cross Country Philip Tang

Women's Cross Country Picked to Win GSC

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Lee University women's cross country team was selected by the Gulf South Conference coaches atop the GSC preseason poll. The Flames also had three on the runners to watch list. Katie Beam, Ava Sparks, and Capucine Cureau were selected by the coaches.

Last year, the Lee women's cross country team placed three runners in the top nine and collected just 51 points but had to settle for second place at the 2025 GSC Cross Country Championships. Mississippi Christian had three in the top seven and put all five of their scorers in the top 14 on their way to claiming the team title with 43 points. The win by the Choctaws ended the Lady Flames' streak of eight consecutive GSC Cross Country Championships. This was the first time since Lee became an official member of the GSC that they did not carry the title back home.

Lee came in second at the NCAA South Region championship and then finished 15th at the NCAA Championships.

Ava Sparks, a sophomore, placed ninth at the GSC Championship last year with a 21:34.17 6K time. Cureau, also a sophomore,  (21:55.55) finished 18th and Beam, who is a senior was 20th (21:57.59). 

Lee will open the 2026 season on September 19th. They will run at the Jacksonville State University Invitational in Huntsville, Alabama.
 

2026 GSC Women's Cross Country Coaches Preseason Poll
1. Lee (8), 98 points
2. Mississippi Christian (3), 91 points
3. UAH, 84 points
4. Union, 71 points
5. Trevecca Nazarene, 60 points
6. AUM, 58 points
7. Christian Brothers, 44 points
8. Montevallo, 42 points
9. West Alabama, 27 points
10. Valdosta State, 19 points
11. Delta State, 11 points
First-place votes in parentheses

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