ROCK HILL, SC – The South Atlantic Conference has released the Preseason Coaches Polls for outdoor track and field as well as their Athletes to Watch for the upcoming outdoor season.

The women were picked ninth while the men placed tenth in the poll.

The Athletes to watch on the women's side are Jordyn Taylor, Lexi Carter, Nia Rogers, and Braelynn Strouth.

The men's Athletes to Watch are David Williams, Bobby Cline, and Jonah Adams.

The Highland Cavaliers begin the outdoor season today at the Lee Invitational in Cleveland, Tennessee.

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2026 SAC Men's Outdoor Track & Field Preseason Coaches' Poll

1. Wingate (11) – 132
2. Catawba – 110
3. Carson-Newman (1) – 109
4. Lenoir-Rhyne – 104
5. Anderson – 103
6. Mars Hill – 72
7. Newberry – 71
8. Lincoln Memorial – 65
9. Tusculum – 54
10. UVA Wise – 43
11. Coker – 35
12. Emory & Henry – 27

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2026 SAC Women's Outdoor Track & Field Preseason Coaches' Poll

1. Wingate (11) – 132
2. Catawba – 111
3. Tusculum (1) – 106
4. Lenoir-Rhyne – 99
5. Anderson – 94
6. Carson-Newman – 91
7. Lincoln Memorial – 77
8. Mars Hill – 61
9. UVA Wise – 49
10. Newberry – 40
11. Coker – 37
12. Emory & Henry – 27