RUSSELLVILLE, Arkansas – The Ouachita women's cross country team earned three first-place votes and finished in a tie for second in the 2026 Great American Conference preseason coaches' poll.

The Tigers were GAC runners-up at last year's GAC championship meet in Monticello for the program's fourth straight top two finish, including conference title finishes in 2022 and 2024.

Three of the six All-GAC runners from last year have graduated leaving seniors Lucy Holden, Blair Turpen, and Emelia Eriksson as the top returners. All three made the All-GAC Second Team last year.

Among the other key returners from last year's squad include junior Marin Murray, sophomore Landry Lay, senior Ellie Hoemann, and junior Meg Swindle. Ellie Akins is one of the most notable newcomers, transferring from Arkansas Tech, where she earned GAC Freshman of the Year honors in 2024.

The 2026 season gets underway on Saturday, September 12 with the annual Bob Gravett Invitational in Arkadelphia. The Tigers will run in five regular season meets before competing in the GAC championship race on November 7 in Alva, Oklahoma.