Cross Country (W)
Robert Black

Razorbacks Expected to Top Region

August 28, 2017

NEW ORLEANS — Returning its core group of runners, Arkansas’ women’s cross country team has been selected to win a league title once again.

The Razorbacks return five All-Region performers in Devin Clark, Sydney Brown, Abby Gray, Carina Viljoen, and Taylor Werner.

Arkansas has won the team title for six consecutive years, having placed the top overall performer at the meet for three-straight years, including Clark in 2016.

The 2017 NCAA South Central Region Championship is slated for Friday, Nov. 10 in College Station.

2017 Division I Preseason Regional Rankings (South Central)

  1. Arkansas
  2. Abilene Christian
  3. Texas
  4. Baylor
  5. SMU
  6. TCU
  7. Rice
  8. Texas A&M
  9. Stephen F. Austin
  10. Tulane
  11. UTRGV
  12. Houston
  13. North Texas
  14. Lamar
  15. Incarnate Ward

Southeastern Conference Coaches Poll

In a preseason poll of the league’s head coaches, Arkansas was unanimously voted as the team predicted to place first at the 2017 SEC Cross Country Championship.

Points for the poll were tabulated with one point being awarded for predicted finish. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own teams.

The Razorbacks have won three consecutive SEC Cross Country Championships. Going back to 2014, the Arkansas women’s cross country and track programs have won 10 straight SEC titles, with three-consecutive conference Triple Crowns.

Arkansas returns four of their top seven runners for the 2017 campaign, including 2016 South Central Region champion Devin Clark, 2016 All-American Taylor Werner as well as 2016 SEC Freshman of the Year Abby Gray.

The 2017 cross country season beings Friday as the Razorbacks travel to Stillwater, Oklahoma to compete at the Cowboy Duals. The 2017 SEC Cross Country Championship is scheduled to take place Friday, Oct. 27 in Athens, Georgia.

2017 SEC Cross Country Coaches Preseason Poll (points)

  1. Arkansas (13)
  2. Missouri (33)
  3. Ole Miss (37)
  4. Mississippi State (47)
  5. Vanderbilt (67)
  6. Alabama (83)
  7. Kentucky (85)
  8. Florida (96)
  9. Georgia (104)
  10. Auburn (118)
  11. Texas A&M (131)
  12. Tennessee (138)
  13. South Carolina (161)
  14. LSU (161)

2017 Cross Country Schedule

Fri, Sept. 1 – Cowboy Duals (Stillwater, Okla.)
Sat, Sept. 16 – Riverside Invitational (Riverside, Calif.)
Sat, Sept. 16 – Southern Stampede (Joplin, Mo.)
Sat, Sept. 30 – Chile Pepper Festival (Agri Park)
Sat, Sept. 30 – Notre Dame Invitational (South Bend, Ind.)
Sat, Oct. 14 – Pre-Nationals (Louisville, Ky.)
Fri, Oct. 27 – SEC Championship (Athens, Ga.)
Fri, Nov. 10 – NCAA South Central Regional (College Station, Texas)
Sat, Nov. 18 – NCAA Championship (Louisville, Ky.)

For more information on Arkansas track and field including in-meet updates, follow @RazorbackTF on Twitter.

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