Coaches Select California Baptist as Favorite to Win 2021 WAC Cross Country Titles
Coaches Select California Baptist as Favorite to Win 2021 WAC Cross Country Titles
2021 WAC Cross Country Championship Central
DENVER – The Western Athletic Conference announced its men's and women's cross country pre-championship coaches' polls, as voted on by the 13 head coaches in the league, who were unable to vote for their own teams. With a total of 20 first-place votes across the men's and women's polls, California Baptist is the favorite to repeat as WAC Champions in both races.
On the men's side, the Lancers were selected to win the WAC Championship, receiving 144 points and 12 first-place votes. Utah Valley was selected second with 131 points and the remaining first-place vote, while Grand Canyon took third with 122 points. The four WAC newcomers followed GCU as Lamar was picked to finish fourth, Abilene Christian landed in fifth, Sam Houston was sixth and Stephen F. Austin came collected the seventh spot. UT Rio Grande Valley was slotted in eighth, followed by Dixie State in ninth, NM State in 10th and Tarleton in 11th. Seattle U and Chicago State rounded out the poll.
On the women's side, California Baptist is the favorite to pick up its fourth WAC title with the Lancers earning eight first-place votes and 139 points overall. Abilene Christian was picked second with 127 points and three first-place votes. Utah Valley followed closely behind with 125 points and the final two first-place votes to earn third in the poll. NM State was selected to finish fourth with Grand Canyon and Stephen F. Austin coming next in line. Seattle U was just two points shy of the Lumberjacks as they collected the seventh spot. Dixie State was picked eighth, followed by Sam Houston in ninth, UT Rio Grande Valley in 10th and Lamar in 11th. Meanwhile, Tarleton and Chicago State closed out the poll on the women's side.
The 2021 WAC Cross Country Championships are this Saturday, Oct. 30 at UC Riverside Agricultural Operations in Riverside, Calif. The men's 8k race begins at 9 a.m. (PT), followed by the women's 6k at 10 a.m. (PT). The championships will air live on ESPN+ for viewers in the United States, while international viewers can find the broadcast at wacdigitalnetwork.com.
2021 Pre-Championship Men's Cross Country Coaches' Poll
| Rank |
School (First-Place Votes) |
Points |
| 1. |
California Baptist (12) |
144 |
| 2. |
Utah Valley (1) |
131 |
| 3. |
Grand Canyon |
122 |
| 4. |
Lamar |
105 |
| 5. |
Abilene Christian |
97 |
| 6. |
Sam Houston |
84 |
| 7. |
Stephen F. Austin |
71 |
| 8. |
UT Rio Grande Valley |
63 |
| 9. |
Dixie State |
57 |
| 10. |
NM State |
48 |
| 11. |
Tarleton |
41 |
| 12. |
Seattle U |
39 |
| 13. |
Chicago State |
12 |
2021 Pre-Championship Women's Cross Country Coaches' Poll
| Rank |
School (First-Place Votes) |
Points |
| 1. |
California Baptist (8) |
139 |
| 2. |
Abilene Christian (3) |
127 |
| 3. |
Utah Valley (2) |
125 |
| 4. |
NM State |
115 |
| 5. |
Grand Canyon |
99 |
| 6. |
Stephen F. Austin |
76 |
| 7. |
Seattle U |
74 |
| 8. |
Dixie State |
68 |
| 9. |
Sam Houston |
59 |
| 10. |
UT Rio Grande Valley |
51 |
| 11. |
Lamar |
44 |
| 12. |
Tarleton |
25 |
| 13. |
Chicago State |
12 |