MOUNT BERRY, Ga. – The Berry College women's cross country team was picked to finish fourth in the 2026 SAA Preseason Poll, as announced by the conference Tuesday afternoon.
 
The Vikings finished in fourth place at last season's SAA Championship and then followed it up with a ninth-place finish at the NCAA DIII South Region Championship in Virginia.
 
Senior Ella Williams returns to the Vikings for one more season, looking to finish her career on a high note. During her junior season, Williams was named to the NCAA South All-Region team and received Second Team All-SAA honors.
 
Other notable returners include Natalie Sinclair and Abby Reams, who both had impressive seasons as freshman, and the roster includes five newcomers that look to make an immediate impact in their first in the program.
 
Trinity was picked as the favorite with 72 points and eight first place votes, while Centre was picked to finish second with 63 points and the final first place vote.
 
Rhodes finished just ahead of Berry in third with 59 points, and behind the Vikings is Southwestern in fifth with 43 points.
 
2026 WXC Preseason Poll Results
1. Trinity - 72 (8)
2. Centre - 63 (1)
3. Rhodes - 59
4. Berry - 52
5. Southwestern - 43
6. Sewanee - 35
7. Oglethorpe - 32
8. Maryville - 22
9. Millsaps – 18
 
The 2026 SAA Women's Cross Country Championship is slated for October 31 in Sewanee, Tennessee, hosted by The University of the South.