CARMEL, Ind. – The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) announced its preseason poll and "Athletes to Watch" listing for women's cross country on Friday, August 16. 

2024 HCAC Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll & Athletes to Watch
 
Hanover College was voted to reign victorious in the 2023 season, garnering 74 points and four first-place votes. Berea College closely followed at number 2 with 70 points and five first place votes. The Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Fightin' Engineers picked up one first-place vote in route to 67 points and third place.Transylvania University took fourth place with 57 points.

The Black and Gold finished in fifth with 55 points in Friday's preseason poll. 

Two Spartans were named as "Athletes to Watch" by the league office on Friday afternoon, including Sydney Sluys (Columbus, Ind., Columbus North), and Rylee Stephany (LaPorte, Ind., LaPorte). 

Manchester will be traveling to Shelbyville, Ind. to compete in the Grizzly Invitational on September 7 to begin the 2024 season.

The 2024 HCAC Cross Country Championships are slated for Saturday, November 2.