Augusta, Ga.----The Augusta University men's cross country team was selected as the Peach Belt Conference preseason favorite while the women's cross country team was voted second, league officials announced today.
 
Augusta men's cross country
Augusta received 7 of 9 first-place votes and tallied 63 points in voting by the league's head coaches. The Jags finished second in the 2022 NCAA Division II Southeast Regional meet and qualified for the NCAA National Championships in Seattle.

"Happy to see our men at the top of the polls to start the year," said head coach Jacob Burgamy. "We lost a couple of key guys after last year but added a few new guys who should be able to make an impact early on and our returners have developed really well. I'm really excited to see how our season plays out."

Augusta has won the PBC Championship in five of the last six years including the last four in a row, tied for the third-longest win streak in league history. The 2023 Jaguars return 11 runners from that championship team including All-Conference runners Avery Jaynes, Thomas Rishar, Patrick Motes, Carlos Rodriguez, and Andrew Todd.

2023 PBC Men's Cross Country
Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Augusta (7) 63
2. Flagler (2) 58
3. Columbus State 50
4. GCSU 42
5. Clayton State 31
6. Lander 25
7. USC Aiken 23
8. USC Beaufort 21
9. GSW 11
 
Augusta women's cross country
The Jaguars were picked to finish second collecting 70 points from the league's head coaches. Augusta finished third at the 2022 PBC Championship and seventh at the NCAA DII Southeast Regional meet. The team returns All-Conference performers Cassie Lagan and Riley Triplett.

"Really excited to see our women up to second in the preseason polls after finishing third last year!" said Burgamy. "We've brought in a few new ladies who are already showing the ability to train with our top 5. We just have to be patient over the course of the season and make sure we're ready at the right time."
 
2023 PBC Women's Cross Country
Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Flagler (9) 81
2. Augusta 70
3. North Georgia 68
4. Columbus State 54
5. GCSU 52
6. Clayton State 40
7. Lander 27
8. USC Aiken 26
9. USC Beaufort 19
10. Georgia Southwestern 13
 

Both squads open the 2023 season Saturday, Sept. 1, traveling to Spartanburg, South Carolina for the Eye Opener Invitational at USC Upstate. The University of North Georgia is set to host the postseason PBC meet Saturday, Oct. 21. North Georgia will also host the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional championship is Saturday, Nov. 4 in Gainesville, Georgia.

 
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