The Southern women have won the last two south central region titles and the last three MIAA Cross Country crowns and were recently picked to repeat as champs of the league by the coaches.

Rounding out the preseason top ten for the women are Midwestern State, Dallas Baptist, Pittsburg State, West Texas A&M, Truman, Southwest Baptist, Central Missouri, Incarnate Word and Central Oklahoma.

The Southern men are ranked third in the preseason poll and were recently picked second in the MIAA cross country coaches preseason poll released at the beginning of August. The Lions won the 2007 south central regional crown and have so far won seven MIAA cross country titles since 2000.

The top ten for the men has Abilene Christian first, followed by Southwest Baptist, Southern, Pittsburg State, Texas A&M Commerce, Central Missouri, Tarleton State, Cameron, Emporia State, and Incarnate Word.

Both teams open up the 2009 season at the University of Arkansas on September 4.